To Don P

“Age simply doesn’t enter into it! The older the friend, the more he is valued, particularly when he shows so visibly the characteristics that we all look for in friends. You have only to look at a genuine teddy’s face to see at once the loyalty, common sense, and above all, dependability behind it.” -Peter Bull 

For myself, I found great comfort and knowledge within a member of this team, that at first, I didn’t even like. You see, when I first met Don P, I just thought he was like all the other teddy bears I had met in the past. He was too quiet, and I felt like he was always hiding something from all of us. He had a force within him, that made me believe that he thought he was better, smarter, wiser than I. And with time, I found that he wasn’t like that at all. 

Don P, you are more than an average teddy bear. You bring each of us comfort after rounds we have been defeated. You bring us a smile, every morning as we walk into class. You bring us the embrace of a warm, teddy-bear hug. You are stained with the tears of this years members, as well as the tears of the past previous members, that cried on you in moments of weakness. You have been passed around at tournaments, and have shook hands with strangers, bringing a smile to their face. And you do all of this, without wanting anything in return. You are the most generous, giving, loving bear on this team. You listen, as we rant on and on about how we should’ve won that round. 

Do not go on believing that we don’t care about you, because we all do. We are grateful for your presence to this team, and we love every minute we spend with you. As the new year begins, we all know you will be there to help us through more tournaments, and early morning practices. You will never give up on us, and we will never give up on you. 

Everyone, I ask you all to raise your glasses as I recite a poem to Don P. 

I have a little teddy bear 
Who’s always there for me, 
When I need someone to talk to 
He listens quietly. 

He doesn’t get mad or yell 
Or ever put me down, 
He never gets jealous or envious 
And never has a frown. 

I love my little teddy bear 
With his cute little face, 
And if we were more like 
Teddy bears the world 
Would be a better place.

To Don P! Olay. 

He’s just not that into you. You’re not stupid. Obviously, if he doesn’t even look at you when you walk by him down the hallway, he’s not interested. I’m not saying don’t put yourself out there, but realize that just because you may think he’s flirting with you, it doesn’t mean he is.