Perennial Favorite Thing: The Honey Bear

A dictionary might tell you the honey bear is “an arboreal fruit-eating mammal of tropical America with a long prehensile tail.”

I know better. The honey bear I know and love is iconic, simple, utilitarian, user-friendly, and oh-so cheaply, widely available. He loves your skin, soothes your ulcer and dresses your wounds. He might even prevent allergies. My friend Honey Bear doesn’t discriminate — he shares his gifts with all who seek him.

I understand his dark side, too. I see behind those small, dark eyes. His grin hides the truth. We both know bears don’t raid hives for their honey. They leave that fur-clotting goo for our tea and toast while they much down on the succulent little baby bees. And isn’t it a little sinister that we pour his sweet, liquid essence out the top of his head?

He’s complex. He’s beautiful. Honey Bear is my guy, and I adore him.