HUG (by Diane Ghallager)

 (Guest Blogger Wednesday :)   My 1 yr old’s favorite book right now (thank you Aunt Chris!) is titled “Hug” – and that is the only word in the entire book.  It is an endearing story told mostly through illustrations about a little monkey named Bobo who watches the other jungle babies hugging their Mommies but can’t find his.  You can imagine his joy when he is reunited with his mother at the end.  A very simple yet real message.  We all need hugs and affection, probably more than lots of words.  I am not a big hugger by nature.  I have deep feelings for people but am not always comfortable expressing it externally.  That coupled with the craziness of life sometimes inhibits me from reaching out to my husband, children, family and friends in this physical display of affection.  Fortunately, my kids take after their Dad and are big snugglers.  I am so often in business mode and focus more on logistics when I am interacting with people instead of physically reaching out.  This may sound completely pathetic to some of you more touchy/feely types, but I have to sometimes mentally remind myself to hug my older children before I run out the door or stop my dinner prep to go greet my husband.  I will admit, my hugs come more naturally with my little ones who are so cuddly.  Though it is not my strong suit, I do believe in the importance of hugs and think they can often be the best medicine… and worth a thousand words.  After a recent Diocesan football championship game (we lost by 1 pt!), there was a poignant moment when the starting quarterback for our team walked over to his mother on the sidelines and simply hugged her.  I don’t know if words were exchanged, but they didn’t need to be.  He was deflated, and she comforted him with the best remedy a mother can offer… a hug. 

I wonder if this is why some people can find it more challenging to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus.  We like to hug flesh and blood which we cannot do with God in the ways we humans know and appreciate best.  Yes, we know He loves us.  He sends us signs and answers our prayers.  He speaks to us through others, and we receive Him in the Eucharist, but we can’t literally hug Him like we can those among us on earth.  My pastor encourages us after we receive communion to close our eyes and allow Jesus to hug us.  He does this at every Mass.  As a result, I try to do this with my kids – I ask them to sit and close their eyes and imagine Jesus hugging them.  With my 3 yr old, I will even take her upon my lap and suggest that she pretend I am Jesus who is hugging her…to help make it real and tangible and comforting.  I need to be able to hug Jesus, not talk at Him or complain or ask or thank.  Just hug.  And I need to allow Jesus to hug others through me, not just my 3 yr old sitting on my lap after communion.  Big, tough football players need hugs and little monkeys like the one in Elly’s favorite book do too.  Simple act and simple message with big results.  Just hug. :)