During the party, one of the conversations we had between cousins was the concern about our children and grandchildren. The family get-togethers aren’t on the same spontaneous level of just showing up at Grandma and Grandpa’s for a Sunday dinner, a cousin play date, or just to eat ice-cream or popcorn as a family. Families are missing these types of gatherings. With that, children are not observing or experiencing the unconditional love of a hug. Not a hug to get something, but a hug to give something.

I get teary as I’m writing when I think about that bond of hugs that are being missed, not only in our family, but our friends, and close community connections.

The next day was Sunday, so I headed to church with an eagerness to make sure I hugged everyone with a much more intentional hug. I held them longer and squeezed a little harder. No one resisted. They actually leaned into the hug and returned the embrace.

This reminded me of a study I read years ago. I couldn’t find the original study, but I did find medical documentation explaining why it is so important to “hug the ones you’re with!”

• Stanford University, Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA states: “Skin-to-skin time in the first hour after birth helps regulate the babies’ temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and helps them cry less.”

• National Library of Medicine states the two following facts: 1) Touch is a primary sense, and in early infancy, it may be the most important sense. 2) Physical contact with infants also affects caregivers…contact stimulates the release of oxytocin, which is associated with nurturing behaviors and positive mood states.

Remember, Jesus said we should come as little children. Often we get all grown up and busy in our days and we forget the simple embrace of love that can rejuvenate both parties within the hug. I wonder is this the cause of so much unrest in our society today? Is the anger, frustration, and lack of hope because we have lost the art of hugging or the loss of opportunities within families to demonstrate unconditional love?

I am still making an effort to deeply hug those with whom I have that pleasure. My hugs may not change society, but it can change me and the person to whom I’m giving the hug. I encourage each of us to take every opportunity to intentionally “hug the ones we’re with,” because we are God’s hands and feet and His chosen method to express Himself here on Earth. God is LOVE…so let us reflect His love one to another.

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