... well, families in general, I guess....
This morning, I lay upon my bed having a conversation with my Freddy Teddy. He's about 18" tall, sitting. A very cute golden brown bear, wearing a red sweater appliqued with a red and purple heart. He's got a red nose. Claims it's stuffed up!
Admittedly, the conversation was a bit one-sided. He just sat there on my chest, looking down at me with big eyes, and an even bigger smile. Didn't say a word. Just listened with an attitude of pure personal approval. Whether he agreed or not. Let me get it all out. Still didn't say a word. Just sat there smiling all over me until I'd said all I needed to say. Then smiled some more.
Upon reflection, it seemed like a pretty good technique for moms and dads and spouses and friends. Well, maybe not the sitting-on-the-chest part, though if you got teenagers it might be an overwhelming temptation ...
Anyway, I got to thinking about all the people we encounter on a daily basis, all wrapped up in their own problems or wanting something from us or supremely indifferent. How often does someone sit down to listen to us and smile all over us in pure personal approval the whole time? Prolly nowhere near enough.
So maybe the secret ingredient to happy marriages is to truly turn into a Teddy Bear from time to time? :roll:
This morning, I lay upon my bed having a conversation with my Freddy Teddy. He's about 18" tall, sitting. A very cute golden brown bear, wearing a red sweater appliqued with a red and purple heart. He's got a red nose. Claims it's stuffed up!
Admittedly, the conversation was a bit one-sided. He just sat there on my chest, looking down at me with big eyes, and an even bigger smile. Didn't say a word. Just listened with an attitude of pure personal approval. Whether he agreed or not. Let me get it all out. Still didn't say a word. Just sat there smiling all over me until I'd said all I needed to say. Then smiled some more.
Upon reflection, it seemed like a pretty good technique for moms and dads and spouses and friends. Well, maybe not the sitting-on-the-chest part, though if you got teenagers it might be an overwhelming temptation ...
Anyway, I got to thinking about all the people we encounter on a daily basis, all wrapped up in their own problems or wanting something from us or supremely indifferent. How often does someone sit down to listen to us and smile all over us in pure personal approval the whole time? Prolly nowhere near enough.
So maybe the secret ingredient to happy marriages is to truly turn into a Teddy Bear from time to time? :roll: