Help! A day spent with Rosie, followed by a long-delayed-by-covid Sleepover With Grandma at Cornerstones, means I just never got my head in gear for a post. So I thought I'd look back and use something from another year. During the first January of this blog [2009] I included a YouTube clip sent to me by my great friend Rachel.
Watching it again, I wonder how many Mrs Beamish types began by rejoicing that the social-distancing, avoidance of contact, and all the other covid restrictions were actually something they thought they wanted...and now many of them realise they are lonely and just longing for a Proper Hug?
A few days ago, I was saying goodbye to somebody I had only just met . We'd been on the bus together, and discovered we had many common interests. She'd been recently widowed and just moved into our village. So I invited her in for a cup of tea - only to discover it was actually her birthday that day. As she left, I went to the front door with her. She thanked me for the tea and biscuits, and the conversation. Then she suddenly hugged me. "I don't think we are supposed to do that yet" I muttered uncomfortably. "I don't care!" she retorted. After she had gone, I looked again at my response to her spontaneous embrace.
But let us be aware of those lonely people who need affection, and work out how we can show it to them. It is only doing what Jesus taught us, after all.
Lovely words.
ReplyDeleteHugs are the glue that holds us together! I came from a family that hugged, taught DH the joys of hugs, and we raised our sons to hug. As the words to a song go, "It's the natural thing to do!" These days, take a deep breath, hold it, and hug!! Those bothersome masks will help, too.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I'm OK with hugging my nearest and dearest - but nowadays I'm a little more wary of people I do not really know.
DeleteYes, the other morning I woke up from a nightmare; someone at church shared the peace with me with a kiss, no more than a 'cheek to cheek' and I am happy to be greeted that way by this person, but this time it was in a nightmare!
DeleteThe unexpected hug from someone you'd just met shows just how much your meeting on the bus and invitation into your home meant to her. I'm glad she was able to meet someone as kind as you on what must have been a difficult day for her.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, I have realised just how difficult it must have been - in a new place, on her birthday, and no 'old friends' to celebrate with. I am glad we met at the bus stop - and that I could invite her in.
DeleteLove the video. This pandemic is so complicated. I found myself in an awkward situation last year just after a major lockdown, when an old friend from another province came for supper during a 'whistle stop' tour of old friends in our province. It was obvious she expected a hug but I just felt too uneasy due to her travels, and we didn't have masks on
ReplyDeleteThat must have been awkward, but I'm sure she would have understood your reluctance
DeleteSometimes you just need proof that you are connecting to another human being. These last few years have been so hard.
ReplyDeleteI laughed and laughed at that video. I used to be terrified of the 'old ladies in hats' when I was a kid.
I'm glad the video made you laugh
DeleteI read an Instagram post from a Doctor recently about a woman who turned up for a Covid jab and she had had to rebook it after not turning up for the last one. It turned out her husband had died after having had cancer for months and she hadn't been able to see her family for 2 years and having moved to a new area. The Doctor listened to her and ended up hugging her as she broke down crying, despite the restrictions because his compassion knew she needed it. She told him that the was first time anyone had hugged her for almost 2 years.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were there to spend time with this lady on her birthday!x
Most of our doctors are compassionate people, and I'm sure many have them have found the distancing enforced by the pandemic has been a real struggle. Not necessarily hugs, but friendly pats on the arm and handshakes have also been impossible for them.
DeleteIt must have been such a difficult day for her! It was a heart-felt hug, I'm sure. But, even so, I would have felt uncomfortable being hugged by someone, even if I knew them, at this particular time!
ReplyDeleteIt was the right thing to do. It would have been much worse to leap back shouting "no don't do this!"
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