What can be felt when you give a hug? Security, hope, care, love. The human touch. Simple. Satisfying. Safe. Do you give hugs more than you receive hugs? That’s a toughie because I would like to think you get one for giving one!!
I love hugs. Tight, close, and with two arms wrapped around me. What type of hug do you prefer?
Hugs can change you in an instant – even when we don’t feel like getting or giving one. Why? Weird display of affection and not sure what the other person may or may not feel about it? Scared that it will bring back emotions from a time that was hard?
I have had two of those profound hugs.
When my little sister lay on her death bed in September of 2015 and had her last day of being coherent – she grabbed me tight and I was scared – scared to squeeze her back in her frail state, scared that it would be forever the last time. She pulled me down to the bed with her thin arms and all the strength she could muster and Love was given. I had a hard time trying to bend over the bed as I tried to hug her back without falling on her! It was the last time. (I smile thinking how strong she was!)
When my little brother greeted me at our 2021 Christmas gathering in January 2022. All the emotions and tears of the last 6 years poured out onto his shoulder. I didn’t realize it then, but, it was a forgiving hug – to me anyway. It felt so honest and surreal. He held me so tight that I couldn’t do anything more than start to cry. I know I needed it. It wasn’t just the hug, but the unspoken words – I Love You. (As I am typing this, I am crying again.)
The truth is, hugs come in so many ways. We hug shortly as a greeting, we hug longer with our significant other, we comfort hug those that need it. I saw a diagram of what a hug looks like from the inside. Two hearts close to each other. Never mind that we hug from behind too.
That feeling of embracing arms encircling yours. The warmth of a body next to yours – now behave, this is for all audiences!! Haha! The chin resting on your shoulder or in the case of me hugging my hubby – my cheek on his back, squeezing tightly. The other thing about a hug is – smell.
Both of my grandmas always smelled like a good perfume. My grandpas like fresh aftershave. They say children always know the smell of their mother or father. I love hugging my hubby because he smells like him. Yes, after 39 years and different colognes, he still smells like him (Whether that is good or bad, I don’t care – it’s always good to me.)
Now back to hugs. When was the last time you “felt” a hug? Really! Think about it. Where were you? What was the reason for the hug? Was it reciprocal? Did you initiate the hug or did someone else? Start paying attention to your hugs from now on.
I want to feel the hug for the reason it was given or for the reason, it was received – notice the receiver, the length, and the reason! Life is too short for the little things to go unnoticed. I gave hugs to my two other brothers because I wanted them to feel how much I loved them and appreciated them. One brother is not that big of a hugger and the other is kind of a hugger. Who knows, it may have been the last hug that I gave them. I hope not!
Take time to give hugs. You and I should cherish giving them. After all, they are free to give! Even when the giver hugs because they are a hugger, it doesn’t mean that the feeling they leave behind is just a hug. Believe me, I know.
Hugs to you and yours.
Tammy
