"Hug Me!"

It was there waiting for me.  I knew the moment I walked up to it, that I had to connect.

"Hug me!" the small sign read on the teddy bear, so I did.

Music played.  A wonderful melody unlike any other I've ever heard before.

"I didn't think that worked anymore," someone said.

She startled me.

"I didn't think anyone was around," I said smiling. I felt foolish standing there hugging a bear.

"That's been sitting there for years.  I don't know why we don't throw it out," she said.

"I'm guessing that's because there's still music left inside.  What a waste that would be. To throw something away that still had music left inside."

I knew the moment I said that, there was a point to be made here.

The year is coming to a close and I was searching for a message to share with you.

How'd you do?  I mean, really, how did you do?

Isn't it that time to reflect back over the past year and think about all the good, bad and indifferent?

In the wee small hours of the evening on that last day of the year, we begin to think about all we accomplished or all we didn't accomplish.

We listen to the sirens, horns, and noisemakers of the people around the world celebrating the coming of the new year.   We've come far enough in life to wonder what it will bring this time.

Permit me to remind you that one year ago, I was sitting in my living room scared out of my mind.

Marianne had just found out she had breast cancer and 2005 was frightening.

Now look how far we've come.  The year I feared turned out to be a year of hope, faith and love.

Hope for the future, strengthened by faith and encouraged by the love of thousands of friends I've never met.  You.

I can also remember all too many new years when I saw nothing but emptiness ahead. I was hopeless and lost.

I thought there was no music left in me.

But God knew better.  He always sent someone into my life who sensed that need to connect. Pausing for a moment on their own journey, their kind words, loving concern and gentle touch brought me to life.

They brought out the music in my soul.

It was as though I had a sign on me that said..."Hug me."

I am a hugger, you know.

I believe that there is music left inside of you that needs to play again.

There is a song, your song, unlike any other.  It was written just for you. It cannot be played by anyone else, at any other time in the history of the world.

You are sitting there tonight waiting for someone to remind you.

Here I am.  God sent me with these words.

2006.   Your music.  The world needs your music.

I see a sign in front of you that says, "Hug me!"

Consider yourself hugged!  Now listen to the music.

~ Bob Perks ~
2believe@comcast.net

[ by: Bob Perks Copyright © 2005 (2believe@comcast.net) -- {used with permission} ]