Hugs

It is not uncommon for me to be told, "Wow, you give great hugs!" or something along the great hugs. I was thinking about why that was recently and recalled a memory long ago stored away:

In late middle school and into early high school one of my friends, Brooke, from our group of 4, became friends with Chelsea. So as young girls work, we were all "friends" with Chelsea. Chelsea was a very tall slender blond girl, who was always flirting with a new flavor of the week but I was never convinced that she really was or wanted to be friends with the rest of the group. As it was during our friendship we would all give eachother hugs, whether in greeting or just cuz someone needed a hug. But whenever I received a hug from Chelsea, it felt as though it was something she was being forced into. Her hugs were so light, it was as though she didn't want to touch us. Which gave the oppposite effect that I beleive a hug should give. I believe that after receiving a hug, the hugee should feel loved and cared for by the huger. It should bring them joy and if needed comfort. It should be welcoming. After hugging Chelsea, I would feel as though I wasn't good enough, as though she didn't like me, didn't want to touch me, didn't care about me. All the things a hug should never be. So it was then, I made a conscience decision, to give good hugs: Sqeeze tight, hold or a second, and take the time to hug my hugee. I never anyone to feel like I did after receiving a hug from Chelsea, when they receive a hug from me.

I've found that giving "great hugs" makes people happier. It cheers them up and it cheers me up in return to have made someone smile. I think our society often orgets about those little things that can make a person's day. So I use hugs to welcome people I know an care about, to help support my friends, and to show those I love, that I love them.

So my friends, Hug on!