Nothing, and I mean nothing, feels as good as a hug. Sean Dietrich
This morning I woke up and did my usual routine of reading emails, blog comments, blogs and of course catching up with my pal Sean Dietrich. His words always inspire and move me and Chris has started referring to him as my boyfriend because I am always quoting him, I have seriously never read another author’s words that move me every single time I read a a new piece by Sean. I am a super fan. In fact, I may be a little obsessed with him but before you start to get too worried about me it is not in a bad way. I am just kind of obsessed with his words.
So this morning when I read his selection Good on Facebook I stopped for a moment and said “Amen.” It started with that first line that I put at the top of the post.
Hugs.
A good hug can heal a lot of things and Mr. Dietrich knows the strength of a good hug and writes about it so that I felt enveloped in a hug of words that was like no other.
It reminded me of a post that I had in my draft folder entitled “Would YOU Accept a Hug from a Stranger?”. It was just waiting to be written until I read his words.
A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in Walgreens waiting to get my flu shot. I was scrolling through stuff on my phone when a young man and woman came and popped into the prescription pick up line. They were probably in their early 30’s (I am a horrible judge of ages so that may be totally wrong) and I noticed how friendly they were to those around them. The young man was outgoing and all smiles and his eyes were kind eyes. You know what I mean. The type of eyes that you often see on wizened older folks who have lived a long life and seen a lot of things.
As I sat in the chairs the young man continued to talk to those around him and then at one point he looked my way, smiled, and said loudly to everyone around “Who needs a hug?”.
Well, I was not having a particularly fabulous day and I believe in the power of hugs. I don’t know what possessed me but I looked at him and said “I DO” and as he came over to where I was sitting I had just one moment of thinking “what the heck am I doing?” and then as this young man approached me that thought disappeared.
Folks, I am here to tell you that this young man gave me perhaps one of the top 5 hugs I have ever had in my life. He leaned in and gave me a firm and fully enveloping hug that made all the cares in my little world disappear. It was transformative. I can’t put it into words. He gave me a gift. And he complimented me on my hair. “Smile” Which I agree did look particularly stunning that day despite the drizzle outside.
It was a spontaneous hug and while the older lady sitting next to me in the chairs gave me a disapproving look I do not regret it. I texted my sister and told her I had the most amazing hug from a stranger and she texted back something to the effect of “well, okay – but I wouldn’t do that.” When I came home and told Chris his reaction was that the guy was “hitting on me”. As if. No, I truly believe the motivation was simply to share the love a little bit .
I like to think he was an angel. I know he made me feel so peaceful and loved after that hug and that is how I feel when I am in the presence of the Lord. So yes, I believe he was an angel. And I am grateful that I took the chance to accept a hug from a stranger.
If you want to read what spurred me on to finish this post please click the link below to read Sean’s words. Mine do not compare.
Give someone a hug today. It doesn’t have to be a stranger.
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