Almost two years into our world being somewhat shut down due to Covid-19, it is still hard to grasp elements of our new normal. Take hugging for instance. This physical act of a warm embrace to express affection with another is something that I truly miss at times. Sometimes, words aren’t even needed to display the mood lifter upper that occurs with family, friends, and even strangers when we hug.  And let us not forget some of our best hugs yet with our furry animals!

The “love hormone” as it is sometimes called is technically labeled Oxytocin. As we cuddle one another (and hug), it is increased in our bodies and immediately lifts our moods. Sounds cool right? 

I am definitely a hugger! I come from a family of huggers. Randy, Sammy and I are daily huggers. Our doggie pets in Heaven, Lexi and Scotchee, were the best huggers! Oh, how I miss their hugs! Our newest doggie Charlie? Well… let’s just say that we are still working on hugs with him.

Years ago, when Sammy was 2 years old, he walked into the kitchen after waking up. His arms were literally stretched out and he kept saying, “Hug! Hug! Hug!” I smiled, scooped him up in my loving arms and gave him a warm embrace. Sammy was familiar with the routine of our mornings. He appreciated the love that we share. Sammy also understood that these early morning warm squeezes were what he needed and most certainly, what I needed. Sammy is now 6 years old and our morning hugs continue to this day. I also love it when he runs downstairs to hug his daddy in the morning as he works in his office!

Literacy is huge in our household as homeschoolers, and we do our best to read five books a day. One of the genres labeled on a basket of Sammy’s books is titled, “Feelings and Emotions.” It is full of quality and diverse books that teach Sammy about feelings and ways to express them emotionally, verbally, and physically.

Each summer Sammy participates in the summer reading program at our local library. His first one was when he was 2 years old. We read so many wonderful books together that summer and his love of literacy deepened! When Sammy finally finished coloring all of the bubbles in on the library form to mark the completion of all of the books we read, it was time for him to collect his prizes at the library for reading so many books. One of the prizes Sammy selected was a children’s book titled, “HUG.”

“HUG” is a lovely story written by Jez Alborough. It is about a baby monkey (Bobo) searching high and low for his/her mommy in the jungle. Bobo is alone and sad while in desperate search for his mommy. He/she sees other animals hugging one another and cries out, “HUG” each and every time. While reading the book, one can see and sense the level of feelings and emotions that Bobo is expressing as the search continues for mommy. In the end, it is an ecstatic moment when Bobo is finally reunited with her/his mommy and all of the animals are there to witness it. Then like magic, hugs break out with ALL animals hugging one another regardless of their breed. To this day, it is one of Sammy’s favorite books (and mine too).

So, I understand that today quite fittingly is “National Hugging Day.” Whether it is a loving pet, a friend, a family member, a colleague, a significant other, a child, a teacher, a stranger, or even yourself… 

HUG like Bobo (keeping safety in mind of course)!