Willy Nilly Silly Ole Bear

Too bad I missed this opportunity to fly out to Hollywood to see one of my very favorite cartoon characters get his own star on the Walk of Fame - none other than that lovable thinking bear, Winnie the Pooh.

On April 11, Pooh joined the likes of other animated stars, like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Snow White, alongside other celebrities who've made their mark in Hollywood. That date marked the 80th anniversary of the first publication of Winnie the Pooh's story in the London Evening News. Walt Disney is planning an 18-month long celebration to note this anniversary.

To me, Pooh is by far so much more a star than Mickey Mouse. Ok, so, maybe Mickey has those unforgettable ears and is the brand of Disney, but where's the substance? The mouse is pretty shallow and has a lack of commitment - poor Minnie has waited over 50 years for him to "do her right." Pooh, on the other hand, is a simple bear. Loving, innocent, and thinks a lot. That's what I love. He can say things that are simple and fun like "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"” Or he can be profound, "You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." That's good stuff. And his friendship with Piglet teaches us all the importance of being a friend.

The crowds that came out for this ceremony were noted to have been ten rows deep and one official commented that there were more people there for Pooh than when Brittney Spears got her star. Thank goodness for that. We love you, Pooh, and as you once said, "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever”