Hugs

For me personally, there is something about a hug, whether receiving or initiating one of these warmth embracing that our arms allow us as I navigate emotions brought on by situations and circumstances. Let’s face it, “most” encounters and experiences we celebrate with family or friends are accompanied by a good, genuine hug. Most are brief while others may linger, especially when wrapped in sadness that comes with grief and sorrow. I’ve been thinking about hugs a lot lately, observing the benefits of this simple gesture that gives me contact with another human being.

Last week was hard for some folks in my church family. A married couple have been expecting the birth of twin boys in October. A few weeks ago mom was hospitalized with complications in the pregnancy and suddenly faced with the harsh reality that one of her babies died in her womb. Bravely, she carried both babes until their delivery last week. These precious parents shared their experience through social media posts–with photos–for the rest of us to stay informed. Mostly, they put up raw emotions that flooded them each day, complete with bittersweet photos of their boys after delivery. While one baby was in a NICU crib, the other was beautifully wrapped in a blanket and both dad and mom held him in their arms. I was later told that they were allowed two entire days with their deceased son. I can’t imagine…but I saw the hugs.

I felt the hugs of the young mother’s parents in church as I took a turn to wrap each one with one of my own. I witnessed countless others wait to give a heartfelt hug to these grieving grandparents. I saw love and concern in action. I was fortunate to give the father of these boys a hug, too. He was the one who initiated it with me. We held each other for an extended amount of time as I whispered “I’m so sorry” in his ear, followed by me telling him how much I admired the hospital for honoring the life of his little baby who did not survive the womb….and reflected on their own words in a post….”little Z____” is now with his Lord on his birthday…”  Yes, lots of hugs for this beautiful family here on earth and now to imagine, the Lord Himself embracing and hugging this precious little boy for all of eternity. I marvel at the image I am unable to create in my frail humanness….

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A remote memory of hugging loved ones still lingers in my mind’s photo album. Whenever we visited my grandparents, our parents taught us kids to give grandpa and grandma a hug goodbye. For me this came quite easy, for my older brothers–especially as they got to be teens–was awkward. When it came time to go home their once active bodies stiffened at the mere thought of having to hug our grandparents, but they did so. Years later, after we were grown and well into adulthood, we often remarked how much we missed that loving pair of Jewells who never turned down a hug, even if it was from an uneasy “too cool for this grandchild”. Now that I’m a grandmother giving and receiving a hug from one of our four grands is a natural greeting or goodbye. They are all little now and don’t mind one of grandma’s hugs, but someday…..yes the “too cool days” may happen, but experience tells me those times will quickly pass. How do I know this? I’m witnessing lots of hugs being exchanged from our adult son and his dad….I’m thankful his “too cool” days are behind him.

I’m very grateful for hugs, for parents who taught us to hug, for a Heavenly Father who gave us the ability to wrap our arms around loved ones…to say hello…goodbye…to grieve and cry….to laugh and celebrate. Life brings many situations bathed in a rollercoaster of emotions. Hugs help to keep us grounded. Big or small, hugs make shaky times less scary. They allow us deep connection, too, when words escape us. Best of all, they’re free. Are you a hugger? Do you enjoy to be hugged? 

These are my thoughts today as I sit here remembering all the times I’ve been in a warm embrace…missing, too, some of my best huggers growing up…can’t wait to be reunited with them in Heaven. There’s some great huggers waiting for me!