*Hugs*

Need a hug? I’ve got one and I’ll share…

My grandmother passed away in 1993 on New Years Eve. She came to visit me in Colorado 3 months prior. I didn’t know it would be the last time I would see her. She shared stories of her life that I had never heard before. I listened and laughed and was surprised at some of the things she told me. I learned more about my grandmother in those two short weeks than I ever knew before. One of the things she shared with me is how much she missed “human touch.” She missed getting hugs. My grandfather was deceased, her only child, my mother, had moved away and her 3 grandchildren were grown and busy living their own lives. Even though we saw her regularly I never realized how lonely she was. As much as we all loved my grandmother and as much as we thought we took care of her…the one thing she was longing for…we were capable of giving…freely…anytime we saw her. My grandmother never knew the gift she gave me that day…the gift of knowing how important human touch is. We all take it for granted. She made me think about my life without it. I vowed to always appreciate and share this gift.

I’ve always been a hugger. I like getting them and I like giving them. I used to give that one arm kind of pat on the back hug. I did it for years. I discovered it was kind of “half-hearted.” I now hug, what I call, “full on hugs”…both arms wrap and no pats. It’s funny how a little hug makes everyone feel good…in every place and language…it’s always understood.

I hope you all have a Wonderful Wednesday with thoughts of human touch. It only takes a hug, a heartfelt and warm embrace, to change the lives of others…Try it…it makes a difference!