According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a hug is an affectionate clasp or embrace, but a hug can be so much more. A hug can change another person’s mood from sadness to one of happiness. A hug can provide strength on a trying day. I recently attended a dinner and talent show at Lynnville Elementary School (LES) with my son, Austin, and as we approached the register to pay, he stepped out of line to hug a woman who works in the kitchen at LES. She told me how much she loved Austin’s hugs and how he has made some of her difficult days better with his hugs. Thinking back on that moment, made me think about how a simple hug, which costs us nothing, can be such an invaluable gift.
A hug is a great way to express your love for another. You can show the love you feel toward your spouse and children through your hugs. Children can show their parents they care with a hug, and it doesn’t always have to be a physical embrace. My son, Alex, crafted me a hug when he was in preschool on Valentine’s Day 2003. His construction paper hug, made with his precious hands and cut-out hearts, was scripted with this, “I know you miss me when I’m away so I made this hug for you today! This special hug from me to you hugs all day through.” I still have this hug on my bookshelf. Although the bright pink and red colors have faded, I know his hug will never fade away.
I recall when one of my neighbors told me she really didn’t like to be hugged as I hugged her tight one day. I could have decided to never hug her again, but instead I chose to hug my friend that much more. As 1 John 4 tells us, “We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.”; hugs are actions that show others we care. I don’t know whether she would ever admit it, but I think she began enjoying hugs. Recently, my friend lost her dad, and as I approached her at the funeral home, she walked toward me with a smile and her arms opened for my hug. Then, I suspected my hugs meant more to her than I could ever know. I am so glad I never stopped hugging her. A hug can bring a smile when one is grieving, and a little joy to mask the sorrow.
When my oldest son, Adam, went off to college in the fall, I knew I would miss his big hugs the most. Now, he didn’t always like hugs from his mom. As a matter of fact, when he was younger he ran from my hugs, and he asked me not to hug him ever in front of his friends. But, later in his teenage years, he came to love his mom’s hugs, and I also had the joy of passing out hugs to many of his friends. What was once an embarrassment for him is now something we both cherish; a wealth of love is shared within our arms. I am happy to report that over the years, Adam has become a big hugger too, and has made the day of many ladies, young and old, with his hugs.
I have always been a hugger. I hug my family, my friends, my students, and I have been known to even hug a complete stranger. I know hugs can be a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day so go out and hug someone today.
By Jeanette Lytle