Hugs are among the connections that that I respect most in the whole world. I’m not a huggy type in the sense of instinctively greeting people with hugs. In fact, I find myself in semi-shock when someone I don’t know very well hugs me ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye.’
I tend to look on in amazement at the extent to which the schoolgirls I see around and about are so giving with their hugs. I was just never like that and I can’t really remember if hugs were as trendy back in my schooldays as they are today.
However, there are times when absolutely NOTHING but a hug will do; times of happiness, sadness, reunion, frustration, celebration.
To me hugs are about as sacred as it gets ~ they are about true empathy and so deep that they say far, far more than words ever can.
For weeks now, I’ve been looking at what I see as the epitome of a hug ~ the embrace of two threads of clematis high up in the trees in Mount Congreve Garden. The hug has been getting tighter and tighter but seems, at the same time, to highlight even more the fragility and tenderness of life.
It’s at those times when we feel most fragile and tender that the hug is at its most supreme.
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
Hugs are nice as long as all parties involved agree. If done properly, any preceding agenda can be postponed almost indefinitely.
Wonderful, Van!
A hug connects souls across eons of differences.
Anarette, what a lovely way of describing a hug. Thanks
I agree Jean. Hugs can be a real connection between two souls.
Looking at the state of my clematis right now I think there’s more than soul touching going on. Looks more like throttling… lol
Val x
Hi Val, clematis certainly seem to have brought hugging to a fine art!
Hugs seem like a more popular way of greeting people now than when we were young. . . or sometimes I think that maybe it’s just that I’m older and hugs are a more popular way of greeting with people who are middle aged + than with younger folks.
Sheryl, I think that hugging is more popular than it used to be. It would be interesting to know how it was viewed 100 years ago!!
Hugs are great medicine but only when they are meant. ❤
Totally agree, Willow. Hugs have to be meant. Those half-baked ones are disastrous”
🙂
I’m a very “huggy” person, Jean, and I think hugs are a deep form of communicating and are sacred, but a hug has to come at the right moment, otherwise, it might be more awkward than meaningful…have a lovely weekend!
Lauren, yes, I’m with you about the sacredness of hugs and the timing (+the parties involved).
‘It’s at those times when we feel most fragile and tender that the hug is at its most supreme.’ How true Jean. The hug is a warm and non-threatening gesture, one up from a handshake and much more preferable to an awkward exchange of air kisses.
As to the quote above I once nearly missed my train at Heuston due to a prolonged hug at a fragile time in my life 🙂
Roy, it’s those ‘ almost train missing’ hugs that are never forgotten. I sometimes wonder if we should just let the trains go without us!