The last one I promise x
It was a blistering hot day in the Hundred Acre Wood, and sparks of sunlight spun and scattered through the branches of the trees as Pooh and Piglet set out from their respective houses.
Purposefully, they walked through the forest, heading to a small clearing they knew very well, where they would - at a two metre distance apart, and of course strictly adhering to the permitted guidelines - meet, for the first time in over two months, face to face.
When Pooh walked into the clearing, at first the sunshine was so bright that he couldn't make out a thing, and had to raise his arm to shade his eyes. Then:
"Oh!" said Pooh, as all of a sudden he saw the small, familiar, and oh so reassuring figure of his best friend, standing there, waiting for him.
And: "Oh!" said Piglet, who equally couldn't think of anything to say at all as he watched Pooh come into view, and his little heart felt like it might fly clean out of his body with happiness.
For a time, there was silence, as the two friends stood there, beaming at one another.
"It's you," said Piglet, grinning from ear to ear.
"It is," said Pooh, who found that all of a sudden his voice wasn't quite as reliable as it might usually have been. "It's me, Piglet. It's me."
"I have missed you SO much," they both said together.
"I wish," said Pooh, "that it didn't have to be like this. You know" - and he gestured to the space between them. "This. All I want to do right now, Piglet, is to give you the biggest hug in the world. And I can't. Because: this." And he pointed to the space dividing them, once again.
"You know, Pooh," said Piglet, in a casual kind of way. "There's something I've discovered, in the last two months. And that's that a hug isn't quite what I thought it was."
"What do you mean?" asked Pooh, scratching his head.
"Well," continued Piglet. "Of course, a hug can be exactly what you're describing, which is physically wrapping your arms around another person. Or pig. Or bear. And I am so, so looking forward to the moment when we can do just that.
"But, during these strange few weeks, I've also realised that a hug can be lots of other things.
"It can be a phone call from the people you love.
"It can be kind words and gentle reassurances.
"It can be a card through the letterbox, or a message left when you're least expecting it.
"And, on a day like today, one of the best kind of hugs of all can be a walk through the forest, with the sun shining down and your best friend by your side.
"So?" he asked Pooh. "What do you reckon? Shall we go and have that hug?"
"Oh yes please," said Pooh fervently.
And with that, off they went, the two of them through the woods, striding side by side. Always two metres apart, with the sun on their backs, talking as though they would never stop, and Pooh couldn't remember the last time he had felt this happy.
Thank you for sharing it.
xxx
Dealing with partner's diabetic needs