HUGS
I am a person who hugs. I hug my friends when I haven’t seen them in a long time. I hug my Family. And sometimes I hug people whom I’ve just met but for some reason feel as if I’ve known them for a long time.
Since I’ve been my Mom’s Caregiver, I have been receiving comforting hugs from strangers.
There are times when I am so tired, stressed, or frustrated, I go outside for a breath of fresh air. No matter what the weather—sunshine, rain, snow, or hail—I feel that being outside away from the situation is good for me. And sometimes on those occasions, I leave the house in tears.
The tears begin falling the moment the door closes. Therefore, I may be found in the elevator, right outside the building, sitting on a bench nearby or walking down the street crying. And apparently visibly crying to all who notice me.
Once a man walking his dog crossed the street to speak to me. He didn’t ask any questions, he simply said, “Everything is going to be alright,” and gave me a hug.
Recently a woman in the elevator insisted that I take off my headphones and asked, “Do you mind if I give you a hug?” Before I uttered a reply, her arms encircled me, and she said a prayer while giving me a hug.
Just the other day, I was walking away from the building when I noticed one of the neighbors walking toward me. When we met face to face, he said, “You look like you could use a hug,” and he gave me a big hug.
As I write this, I’m thinking to myself, “I must look pretty sad walking around and about.” Not always, I’m sure.
At any rate, I gain strength from these hugs from strangers. I think of them as Angels sent by God to give me a much-needed hug. And I receive the hugs in the spirt in which they are given. A spirit of kindness and love.
As I Caregiver, I am grateful for a number of things. I am especially grateful for the Hugs from strangers.
Wow 🤗
Perhaps the title should be tears..