Winnie The Cuddlewitch Weds
November 3, 1996
Weeks of planning, days of final construction, and the land's first gingersnap cookie WitchyCottage is ready. But 'ready for what?' you might ask. Why, ready to welcome the newlyweds back to CuddleLand, of course. Designed with Winnie the Cuddlewitch and her beloved Paul in mind, the cottage has some very, very special features.
Starting with the front door, made of one huge, self-perpetuating ChocoChip Cookie, this very special cottage is loaded with special CuddleWitch features. Like it's fireplace. Designed to accommodate the huge cauldron used by Winnie to brew up CuddleLand's special spells, the ones that guarantee that newbies will be hugged, that the cuddles will always be warm, and that the bearhugs will always be tight and sincere. Topped by a candy cane chimney, the fires in this magic fireplace are warm in winter and cool in summer.
Windows of salt-water taffy allow the bright clear sunlight to pass through the gingersnap walls, and hinges of licorice whips let them open when the breezes are soft and the weather mild, which is, of course, every day in CuddleLand.
The varicolored marshmallow roof is protection against the early morning dew and the occasional soft rain necessary to the growth of the beautiful WitchyCottage garden. A rock candy path wends its way from the edge of the clearing, through the open gate of the picket fence surrounding the cottage, and ending at the stoop before the choco-chip door.
One by one, hundreds of CuddleLanders emerge from the woods into the clearing. Each bearing a token of their respect and the joy in their hearts for the newlywed couple. Placing the gifts carefully alongside the rock-candy pathway, the Cuddlers gather in small groups and talk quietly among themselves.
Soon, all eyes turn to the sky. A tiny mote appears over the edges of the land. Slowly growing, the speck is still too small to discern, but clearly isn't a normal aircraft. Silent and steady, approaching without deviation, the speck grows. As it nears, it drops below the treetops, and is hidden from view.
WitchesBear is anxiously waiting to perform his welcoming duties. Standing next to the CuddleLand landing strip, he is dressed in his finest CuddleLand garb. He, too, is focused on the craft nearing the airport. And there it is, in a landing pattern......no, it's not landing.......Speeding just feet above the ground, the custom extended broom-built-for-two races down the runway. Just prior to reaching the end, it soars into a vertical climb, flips gracefully over, and down in a smooth arc, halting just inches from the waiting WitchesBear.
There, seated primly in the pilot's position is a smiling Winnie. Radiant, our CuddleWitch has come home to her friends, and brought with her a handsome new cuddler, Mr. CuddleWitch. Offering his hand to the lovely Winnie, WitchesBear assists his friend from her transport. As she alights from her perch, and is joined by Paul, the broom transforms from it's transport mode to it's wand mode, and becomes a glowing, silver tipped reed. Winnie tucks the glowing wand in her waistband, and slipping one arm around her new husband's arm and the other about her friend's, the trio walks into the forest.
Soon the three emerge from the woods, pausing as their eyes take in the multitude of cuddlers, the shining cottage, and the beautiful gifts. Winnie's eyes glisten with joy as she feels the love that fills the sunlit clearing. WitchesBear gently takes Winnie's hand from his arm and steps behind the couple, not wishing to obtrude on their time. Slowly, Winnie and her Love walk down the path, hugging their friends as they meet.
No homecoming would be complete without music. A dashing figure in a polkadot tie stands next to a joyfully clad cuddler, and to her other side a cartoon bear. Skilled fingers strum the strings of guitars and the Joyful voice of the Lady and her company rise above the glade, the gift of music is the first present offered to the newlyweds.
Next to the path, a little red radio flyer wagon, draped with a cuddlequilt, and a tiny little cuddler standing on the highest fold of the quilt, waving wildly at her friend, offering the continuous warmth of friendship. A black garbed cuddler reaches forward and deftly pins a beautiful gleaming star on Winnie's shoulder, bowing slightly from the waist, the shadowy figure offers his strength. Next a white bunny, with brown splotches interspersed with pure white fur, offers them her luck, and her lovely outlook on life. Gossamer angel wings shimmering, the next cuddler provides the pair with the most beautiful smile in the land. Dreams are next, sweet dreams from a dreamer, who's eyes are tired from being buried in texts, hour after hour, but which shine with joy for the newlyweds. Standing behind a watchamacallit gizmo, a cuddler dressed entirely in forest green proffers pure, naïve fun, illogical and nonsensical levity.
The next cuddler, tall and beautiful in glowing platform shoes, offers beauty of thought, purity of mind, and true, honest respect for all. And a sailor, with a little tike clasping her hand in his tiny fist, offers the team spirit and leadership necessary to successfully accomplish anything truly meaningful. The next cuddler offers creativity, extending his huge feline paw, gently dropping beautiful pictures, created from little save the imagination he offers the couple.
As the pair continue down the path, hugging each of their friends as they move along, they are awed by the diversity of the group, and by the common ground they share.
The next cuddler, longish hair reminiscent of a collie, offers a prized possession, a gilt book, inscribed with the words, 'Love Is'. And next to him, the gift of words in another way, a maker of rockets offers the humor and fun that can be found in language, the magic of the pun. Next, from the cuddler who is sure to offer the gift of the FAQ, perhaps one of the greatest gifts that can be given, the gift of dedication.
The next cuddler, an elf, smiling gently, offers the gift of pure goodness, and two permanent passes on a beautiful carousel. Two gentlemen step forward together, one a dwarf and one a knight of the Kovenant, the pair together present the couple with twin golden goblets full to the brim with the nectar of truth and dignity. Standing quietly next to his master, a beautiful dog wearing a guiding brace upon his shoulders, this man senses the nearness of the pair and offers them the ability to overcome obstacles placed in their path.
A single candle, bright even in the brightest sunlight, the candle of love and hope, offered by a northern princess of the isle. And the gift of laughter, given by a jester, brings smiles to the visages of the newlyweds. The gift of luck, proffered by a beautiful luck dragon, given to the couple as a lock of the softest fur, tied with a silver bow. From the land of the north, the gift of sweetness, offered in the form of Finnish chocolate by a beloved princess. From another newly married couple, arms around each other, together they offer a tiny oak, springing from an Acorn, symbolizing the birth of a new relationship and the growth yet to come.
The couple continues down the path, sweet tears of joy rimming their eyes as they feel the love of their friends for them, and for each other. Partners in their adventure.
They meet the next cuddler, and accept the gift of wisdom from the southern owl. Followed by the gift of childlike joy and wonder, given by a smiling cuddler who has a cat cradled in his arms and a tulip in his lapel. Next a large powerful black feline, softly purring her gift, the power to stand strong and protective against the worst the world can offer. Then a flannel clad cuddler, confident in his own inner strength, offering softness of heart and gentleness of thought, packaged in marshmellows so light they fairly float to the newlyweds. Another princess standing along side the path, clad in black leather, with a little mischievous grin, offers the lovers a symbol of the firmness they will need should they be blessed with children, a magical
And next, an Irish lass, proffers the gift of innocent flirting, the joy that the heart feels when it is teased lovingly, gently, openly. Yet another knight, couched as a bunny, paw thumping gently on the soft garden soil, offering the peace felt when lovers hold each other tenderly. The gift of appreciation of the beauty of living things, a dozen of the lands most beautiful roses, from a Rose. Two more cuddlers of the ursine persuasion, one blue, one gray, offer the lovers the self-confidence they will need as they grow old together.
And the last of the gentlemen, two Squires on opposite sides of the path, swords raised. As the crossed swords touch above the smiling couple, a starburst of shining light encompasses the lovers.... the light of honor and service, the gift of the Squires.
The last of the cuddlers, a gentle princess bear and a cuddly bug, waiting on either side of the door to the cottage, smiling, offer the ultimate gift, the gift of eternal love.
But there is yet another group of cuddlers, lined up behind the oldbies, each and every one of them with shining eyes, watching the friends they are just meeting open their hearts to each other. The newbies are brought into the celebration whole heartedly, their welcoming smiles as much a part of CuddleLand as the gifts given by those who arrived earlier.
And finally, an unnumbered group, gathered on the outskirts of the garden, quietly watching, beginning to understand that they too are part of this Land. The silent lurkers have a place in the hearts and minds of the denizens who await their arrival when they are ready.
The couple turns to their friends, their radiant smiles saying more than words could ever convey. Princess TuggyBear, whispers into Winnie's ear, watches her smile grow even larger.
Winnie, clearing her throat, speaks firmly, "Friends, thank you for your welcome. We are so happy to be home. And now, *LET'S PARTY*, it's time to feed the bears......"
By Cuddlbug and Galahad
November 3, 1996