Have you ever gone to shake a person’s hand that you are
meeting and they come at you with a hug? If that has happened and been an
awkward moment for you, let me apologize.
I am THAT HUGGING PERSON!! I am
what you call a hugger. I have been a
hugger for a long time now. Some of the
explanation for this is the family I grew up in. I am half Italian, half Lebanese and hugging
is a family trait for us. My Lebanese father
even takes it one step farther and usually kisses everyone he meets, sometimes
on the lips! It does not even occur to
him that he should not do this. It is
funny to watch the recipient’s responses. So… all that to say, I get it honestly.
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| my italian mamma and lebanese father |
My theory is this, the
world needs more hugs. A hug is an
expression of love and there can never be enough of that! I think an additional motivation for me is
my mother’s heart. I love to mother and
nurture others. When I meet a young person, anyone below let’s say 30, I
especially want to hug them in case they did not have a loving, nurturing mother. I have met so many young adults in the past
10 years who have not had the blessing of a loving mother. When you have had that, which I did, you are
able to pay it forward to your children.
If you did not get it from your mother, I believe that God will put “other
mothers” in your life to fill that gap.
So, that is me, the “other mother”, hugging my way through all my introductions.
This week I am in Redding, CA with my daughter Emily and son
in law Paul and my son Turner. I came
for the birth of my first grandchild, Theo.
I have met many new young folks
this week from all over the world. Many
have extended their hand to shake mine when we have met. I have “gone in” right past the extended
hands, for a hug. It is funny to see the
various responses. Some enthusiastically
accept my hugs while others simply endure them.
Either way, I am fine with that.
Their response does not deter me in the least. I know the good that can come from a warm hug
from “another mother”.
These folks all have two things in common. They held my grandson, and were hugged by me!!!
Just imagine how many times I will hug Theo. Maybe I will count!!!
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