On August 21, 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born.
For many of us, his name is immortalized in the stories of a lovable little boy and his favorite toy bear, more affectionately known as Winnie-the-Pooh.
A.A. Milne was a prolific writer – books, plays, essays – but will forever be known for his creation of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh series.
History says that in 1925, Milne and his young family moved to a picturesque farm in Sussex – the 100-acre woods surrounding the property serving as the perfect magical setting for a series of children’s stories countless generations continue to admire.
When young Christopher was around one, he received a present – a stuffed bear. That one stuffed animal would serve as the inspiration for a series of whimsical stories. Over the years, young Christopher began collecting additional stuffed animals similar to that of his cherished bear.
Then one day, Milne discovered that the cast for his next project was sitting right in front of him. A boy named Christopher Robin and all the animals of the forest he treasured most – living, loving and learning in a place called the Hundred Acre Wood.
Winnie-the-Pooh favorites
For decades, I’ve found inspiration in the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and the thoughtful messages about life and love which are so often intertwined within its themes.
Milne, by utilizing the memorable characters and their invaluable relationship with his son, created a timeless classic with endless lessons. A few of my favorite lines include:
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
And by far my favorite: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Life is ever changing – few things seem to remain constant. But the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh continue to remind us how important it is to cherish every moment, to show appreciation to every person who fills your heart with joy.
I leave you with this from the book The House at Pooh Corner: “Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”