Hugs are back

When I was a newlywed and introduced to my new father in law’s sister, she put out her hand to shake and said “I’m not a hugger.” I smiled and said “that’s OK – neither am I “ I was not raised by huggers. Maybe a peck on the cheek, but no embracing. Mostly handshakes. Sometimes a sideways arm around the shoulder/pat on the back. I don’t know why.

The exception was my maternal grandmother who would press my face into her chest which heaved with sobs, while she begged me to tell her that I remembered my mother, every time I saw her after my mother’s death when I was three. This left me speechless and staring at the floor until it was over. Maybe this is why I am shy about hugging – with a few exceptions.

In spite of all this, my girls became huggers. They hugged their father and me, teachers, friends and teammates and each other. When their friends started hugging me, I was a bit startled, but thought they were sweet.

This week we were finally all vaccinated and it was time for hugs again:) It is a great relief that now I can finally greet people properly again either with a handshake or a hug. We didn’t document the event with photos.

As usual, The New York Times photographers, have done an amazing job capturing first hugs. Link to the interactive gallery is below.

New York Times interactive gallery

Carnegie Mellon researchers say that hugs protect against stress and infection. Link to their study below. I’ll take it

A hug a day keeps the doctor away

Thank you to all the vaccine makers and distributors for bringing back hugs. We missed them

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