Paddington at the Palace.

What an enchanted idea, for the world to focus on a bear slurping tea straight from the teapot, with a marmalade sandwich tucked under his hat. And another sandwich in the Queen’s handbag; so that’s what she keeps in there…

I’ve been working non-stop the last few days, but thanks to social media I’ve caught up on snippets from the Jubilee. Like former President Obama’s words, comparing the Queen to his Grandmother. And the cakes… many people were busy baking to share tea and cake with family, friends and neighbours. That sense of community is worth celebrating, whether you’re someone who supports the monarchy or not.

A friend who is hosting a family from Ukraine loved the symbolism of the Queen welcoming Paddington, who was himself a refugee. Michael Bond spoke of how he’d seen children from the Kindertransport arriving at Reading station during the war, and drew inspiration from this.

Creating the story of Paddington, a bear from Peru, all on his own at a railway station, with a label attached that said ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ Michael Bond once said that he wrote the opening line from Paddington one morning without really knowing what he was going to write, but he wanted to get something down on paper… 

“Mr and Mrs Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform…” 

In the Mindfulness & Writing sessions I run, we meet each other on Zoom and scribble down new beginnings and bursts of ideas. Who knows where they will lead, in the days that follow, when all sorts of thoughts might spring up. Often inspired by something another participant has mentioned…

I like to think that Michael Bond would be proud that we look after each other in our sessions, listening with kindness and curiosity. And sometimes cups of tea. All Grandmothers know that cups of tea are incredibly important, as they give you five minutes to take a break or listen to someone who is struggling with something. And all Grandmothers know that looking after each other is probably all that really matters in life.

In my work as a Celebrant, I’ve been writing funeral services this weekend to honour two Great Grandmothers who were both in their 90’s. Deeply loved and cherished, each had known the pain of sadness and loss in their lifetimes, and stressed the importance of looking after each other. Family, friends, neighbours, dogs, cats, the birds and probably bears as well… Both Great Grandmothers also had magic biscuit tins, that never seemed to empty… 

So we should celebrate a sense of looking after each other in the myriad ways we do; often beginning with a cup of tea. Especially after the Pandemic years, that were difficult for all of us around the globe. When grownups take five minutes to enjoy a cuddly bear with a marmalade sandwich tucked under his hat, the world is definitely a better place.

It’s a great example of Mindfulness in action, that importance of where we place our attention and focus. I needed that reminder last night, and a welcome few minutes of light relief, thanks to focusing on Paddington and his antics at the Palace.

No matter how many difficult things we’re all juggling, a few minutes to take a break, have a cup of tea and marvel at a bear gives us all a brief respite. A mischievous and wise bear, and the sublime voice of Ben Whishaw as an extra bonus. If you’ve never watched a Paddington film, I highly recommend them. And they star Julie Walters, a national treasure herself!

Every home should have a bear to cuddle. We found ours by accident when buying book shelves in a charity furniture shop a few years ago. This solitary bear was sitting on a shelf by the till, looking very lonely and was just £1.

He didn’t have a label attached, just a £1 price sticker. My 6ft 5” partner (who looks a bit like a viking with his long hair & silver beard) picked the bear up and we took it home, where it has been cuddled by many of our visitors in the years since then. Cost us a fortune in marmalade, but worth it!

If I’m writing something particularly serious, the bear often sits nearby. Seeing his cuddly paws helps, I’m sure. Keep a look out, there might be the perfect bear for your household for £1 in a charity shop window this week…

Meantime, I’m off to make marmalade sandwiches and put the kettle on. There’s a laptop that needs to be switched off to avoid overheating, and a bear in need of a cuddle…

p.s. if you’d like to know more about the June Mindfulness & Writing sessions, just send me a message from the ‘Contact’ part of this website. Good luck finding your bear…