Hugs

If any of you have read the book "The Five Love Languages" then you know that one of the five is physical touch. This is my love language. And it is interesting to me that I really notice when I am not getting enough of this in my life. When I worked for four years at an assisted living facility I learned that physical touch is something important to the residents there. Elderly people often don't receive as much touch as they used to, or need. In fact, in working with elderly people it is important for their caregivers to try to remember to hold their hand, put a hand on their knee, or an arm around their shoulder. It's easy for elderly people to get neglected and a tender touch is one way that they can be shown that they are still cared for.

I have noticed a HUGE difference in the way I feel, although I can't describe it in words, since I stopped working at that facility, and stopped both giving and receiving so much physical touch. Sometimes I just crave being close to someone, like a dieter craves sweets, or an alcoholic craves a drink. And I'm not talking about the physical intimacy between a husband and wife. I'm talking about the physical touch that we, in our culture, are unfortunately a little bit uncomfortable with.

So from now on, I am going to try to supplement my life with more physical touch. Not just from my husband, but from everyone. Don't worry, I won't be going around to strange people touching them. What I am going to do, though, is try to become one of those people that gives hugs. I love hugs, even though I have not always been comfortable with them all of my life. I have learned that hugs are really wonderful things. We all need more physical contact from others. Not just to feel more connected to them, but to feel whole and healthy ourselves. So, when you see me next, make sure you give me a hug if I don't give you one, because I am still a little shy about the whole thing. It's gonna take some time... Now, where's a hug?