You’ve heard of the Connecticut kiss haven’t you…when someone smooches the air instead of you? This is the squeeze version. A friend (or foe) leans in only to touch you as if you had leprosy.
That’s an insult, not a hug…a stunt hug, at best.
Why bother I say, but people still do. It’s the email of affection…cold, impersonal…one could blast through ten hugs never once touching skin. Now take my pal Pam, she knows how to hug. She grabs you good and tight letting you know she’s happy to see you. Why Pam could lecture on hugging at the Learning Annex…would be an instant sell-out.
This fear of closeness, commitment…incommunicable disease, that’s what’s catchy. Big, squishy hugs should be the norm because we, as humans, as we’ve bumping into the furniture, need them.
I know I sure do. 
SB
..
I thrive or shrivel directly proportional to my daily hug quotient. There is no communicable disease worse than feeling unloved.
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Well said. And you have 3 in-house ladies I’m certain, feel the same…two taking paws. 🙂
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It’s traditional, when arranging a rendezvous, to say “I’ll be wearing a red carnation” or similar. I say “I’ll be covered in dog hair”. Can’t imagine why I’ve been stood up so many times.
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Remnants of love…bet ya look great in fur 🙂
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It was bad enough when we only had Smudge. Now I have two of them competing for my affections. I’ve tried shouting “rape” but Maeve just points and laughs. What’s a boy to do?
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You’ve just cried wolf one too many times and admit it, you asked for it. Woof, said Smudge and Lola.
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Guilty as charged, your honour.
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I knew it all along 🙂
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We hold group hug sessions when we all connect.
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Is that true? Actually was thinking of you, wondering how you were. Before I attended my first Ala-Non meeting, I’d cringe if someone remotely attempted to hug me. I was not an embraced kid by any means, but they are HUGE advocates of a simple hug. It changed me.
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Oh yes it’s true. We all even try (note I said try) doing the voice of Robin Williams as the Genie from Aladdin…”Group hug, group hug.” Usually smiles and giggles follow. Not a bad way to reunite really. My brothers and I try to crack the kids up whenever we part, too. I will usually through my arms around one of their uncles—who promptly cringes in pain—and say (in my best Salla’s voice—”I am missing you even now Indy.” Sometimes they respond with “That’s nice, but my name is Ken.” and then I’ll break character and respond with something like “Your kidding? You mean like, Barbies Ken? I could go on, but I think I’ve said enough about our goofy hugs. 😀
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It’s like the Catskills in California 🙂
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Minus the Moonshine. 😀
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Oh hell…really?
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LOL. Oh and by the way I’m sorry I didn’t answer your other question, but I was ready to collapse and go to bed. Were doing fine, just been a little busy.
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Busy’s good. 🙂
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Yep. Particularly when it means money. I think I’ve become rather fond of that stuff. :O)
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It’s all those hugs. They’ve made you a magnet for moulah. 🙂
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My wife must have picked my pockets during one of those group hugs, 😀
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Is she out shopping?
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No, doubt, in the market for a shopping mall of some sort. 😀
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I used to be a so-so hugger. Then one day I was hugged by a master hugger and changed my ways. Her hug made me feel so welcome that I decided then and there to always hug like I really meant it.
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I know. Top Down is right…they’re big healers.
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Hugs are silent healers, they come highly recommended by me.
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I’m glad we’re all in agreement…from England to the Catskills in California 🙂
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I like hugs so much better than kisses. It’s fluffy bumpy body parts gnashing against each other (without any sexuality). Better than bad breath slobbered all over your cheek.
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Love..fluffy bumpy body parts…reads like root beer flowing from a barrel. 🙂
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I not sure if you recall, but a wrote a piece quite awhile back called “I’m a Hugger” . For those of true”huggers”, an air hug is like having a fake a orgasm. We are left feeling very unfulfilled & have to refrain from using our outdoor voice proclaiming, “really? that’s all you got!?”
You read this Susannah but here is the post for any of the rest of your posse who might want to have a read:
https://lymart.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/im-a-hugger/
Hugs my friend, and not of the fake kind!
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Thanks for contributing. Makes my piece more interesting. 🙂
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I grew up in a family that didn’t touch let alone hug. However, a friend taught all about hugs and how important they are. So, I became a hugger and proud of it.
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I’m so happy to hear that…for Jack and Teddy’s sake who must get zillions of hugs 🙂
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I totally agree. I tend to be a hugger, as my father was before me.
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It’s clearly in your blood then. 🙂
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