Winter 2024
Dear Henry,
I know it hasn’t yet been long since we parted ways but in the past days you have been on my mind. I find what you’re doing is mad. But not in a bad way mind you, in an inspiring manner, as this is something no other Polar Bear would ever do.
Despite what every other animal may think, winters are hard for us too. Yes we feed a lot but the long freezing winters still drive us to the brink of desperation. And that is why you’re such an inspiration. How many other Polar Bears would sacrifice the safety of their winter dens, the long snoozing months in the cosy snow homes, to trek across the ice and look for another life for their families?
You may ask anyone across the whole Arctic, no one would do what you are doing. Polar Bears are lethargic after all. But you’re not like the others. Fathers usually bail on their cubs before the winter even starts, couples fall apart and they each go their own way, perhaps they’ll meet again some day but come spring things will always be different. Then there’s you. So loyal to me, to us, that fearing for our future you decided to act. I know your adventure isn’t based on facts but rumours, rumours of a better life. Rumours of a community of bears living far away from the ice, a land down south where despite the heat their mouths are never empty. There’s food aplenty and they’re all fat, so fat they say one of them sat on his rear all summer with no fear at all for the cold months ahead. I can hear the blizzard outside and imagining you powering through it with your head down makes me shiver. It must be freezing out there and all you have between you and the elements is your thick set of hair, which I love so dearly but I fear may not be enough to keep you from the cold. Please be safe.
In other news the place may be getting a bit cramped. It’s official, you are now a father. Twins. I’d much rather wait for you to name them but believe they need a name very soon. Perhaps you may write back with ideas?
Anyway, the cubs are safe here, hopefully one day not too far away you will get to see them and hold them tight. For now please be safe as you walk through the endless night.
Pam
Winter 2024
Dear Pam,
I was so glad to receive your letter. The Puffin who delivered it said the weather is getting worse. This may impede him from delivering my reply, I hope he makes it back in time. The journey hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be. It seems the cold isn’t ending just yet so the ice sheets are steady and strong. I stopped by Eddie down near the Channel and told him my plan. He said I’m wrong. Yes he too has heard stories of Polar Bears living there but doesn’t believe they can. It seems absurd to him for a Polar Bear to spend more than a couple of months away from the ice. “What kind of life would that be?” He said. Furthermore he and Leah haven’t bred this year. I think they fear the worst and have given up hope. I refuse to do the same. I know that the south is the land of men, the terrifying creatures and strange metal machines. But I’d rather live near predators than be doomed to drown at sea.
I dream of a better life for my cubs. Somewhere where they won’t have to struggle for food. Somewhere where they won’t have to face the crude reality this world has to offer right from the start. Somewhere where the ice isn’t breaking apart right under their newborn paws. I don’t want my cubs to have to grow up fast because I failed them. This is our last hope. I’ll cope with anything just to give them their best chance of survival. Now I must go before the bad weather the Puffin had talked about catches up. I’ll send you a letter upon my arrival. You be safe and cuddle tight in these long winter nights. I wish I could be there to snuggle with you.
Don’t give up hope. I have a feeling that this promised land is indeed true.
I’ll be back in your paws very soon my Pam.
Love you.
Henry
P.s. How about we name them Sarah and Sam?
Spring 2024
Dear Henry,
Sarah and Sam sound so nice! I’ve decided to name them so.
Spring has now arrived and our den is slowly losing its snow. The cubs have been peeping outside and are so full of life. I wish you could see them as they stumble on the ice trying to balance their sweet little feet without slipping down the hill.
I’m happy to say the air still has that winter chill which makes me believe we’ll have a cool spring. I’m sure it’ll bring you great joy to hear we’re all doing well and survived the winter. And, oh boy, have I lost weight! I’m so skinny I look like an Arctic Fox! Feeding two hungry cubs through the winter really knocks it out of you! But it’s all worth it when I see the cubs so happy. You know, I’d like to say they both look like me, but Sam’s snout is just like yours. He adores rolling in the snow, just like you used to do when we first met.
At the end of the day they both come back to the den with their wet little noses wishing to cuddle and ready to rest. I truly think you’re missing the best part of being a parent. Enjoying their innocence before they become independent and question your every idea. And if they are to take after you dear, we’re in for a treat! Don’t be offended but you know far too well how stubborn you are, even picky with what you eat.
The more I look at them the more I think of you. I miss you so much and know that you have to do what you have to do for their sake. But sometimes I wish we could have some more time just to make some memories. It’s still cold as I said, but you know, the ice seems to be retreating fast. I’m not sure how much longer it will last.
I wish you were here and miss you so badly.
I’ll be glad to hear from you soon, as soon as you can.
Yours now and forever,
Pam
Late Spring 2024
Dear Henry,
I hope this letter finds you well. I can’t tell if my last letter reached you as I never received a reply. Perhaps the Puffin lost it in the sky and it drifted off somewhere far away. Perhaps a stray Narwhal ended up finding it, they are nature’s letter opener after all. Jokes aside I feel like our hopes which had grown so tall are slowly melting away. Melting, just like the ice.
It’s a crisis. The ice is melting way too rapidly, much worse than it was last year. Without you here I can’t provide alone for both cubs. Sarah is looking weak. She hasn’t been eating enough and is much smaller than she should be. Her walk has turned to a crawl and I fear she won’t be able to keep up once summer comes around.
Sounds fill the air. Sounds which we shouldn’t be hearing for another few months. Large thumps. Cracks. Thundering roars. The ice is breaking. And so is my heart. I know we’re apart for a greater good, but could you please hurry? I wish to hold your furry body next to mine. Time is passing far too slow, and I need to know if at least you, unlike us, are well. Tell me Henry, have you at least made it down to this promised land? Perhaps you fell to a man’s hand. Perhaps it never existed. I know you’re persistent and would never give up. But we need you here, more than ever. So please dear, if you receive this letter, consider turning back. Back home to see your cubs at least once before it’s too late…
I can’t bear to see them in such a state. Please make haste.
Love you always,
Pam
Summer 2024
Dear Henry,
I fear this might be my last letter. Here summer has come, way too soon, with its full force. The sun keeps shining, leaving its morse on us like it was biting all day and night. The ice has all melted away and I wouldn’t be surprised if the ground were to disappear too. Yes there are flowers in bloom but the land is so little and far apart we have no heart to reach it.
I wish you didn’t have to find out this way, but Sarah has passed. It was only a few days ago. She’d been sick for a while as the food was poor, but I hoped if she just could get past the summer we could finally get more.
Never was I so wrong.
Sam isn’t that strong either. We keep trying to swim across the vast sea but he can barely keep up with me. I fear every time we must change island that I might turn around… and he won’t be there… drowned.
I myself am starting to feel weak. A dreadful sense of defeat is starting to settle within my heart. Part of me still wants to believe there’s hope. But I’m not sure how much longer I can cope with these conditions. I’ve lost all energy. And hope is close behind.
Time isn’t with us anymore. I don’t even know if you still are.
I fear the worst.
Farewell my love,
Pam
Fall 2024
Dear Pam,
It’s been a long time since I heard from you last. But I understand that Puffins struggle to come so far south. At long last, I have found it. It’s real. At the bottom of the Bay, all around it is a place where Polar Bears endure the heat. They came out to meet me and took me in like one of their own. Food is plenty and they’re all fat! I even saw the one they say sat on his back all day. This is the place to stay. And the humans? They’re not as bad as they say! Some of them even leave food out for us. Can you picture that? A carcass just laying out there left for a Bear to feast. This indeed is heaven on earth. First thing when I get back we’ll pack and come down. So next year we’ll be fat, full and ready when summer comes around.
I’m on my way and will be with you as soon as I can. Oh Pam how I wish to be holding you, Sarah and Sam and enjoying this heaven with you. You’ll love it, and the cubs will love it too.
There’s no need to struggle anymore. Life is going to be great. You just wait.
I love you with all my hairy self,
Henry