Message to the hurting: Take heart

Who hasn’t been hugged?
You must have had your fair share of hugs when you were but a baby. Therapists believe that tactile contact is all-important for infants. One family therapist even prescribes "four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth."

Who hasn’t felt pain and longed for the warmth and comfort of a hug? Parveen Chopra writes that according to a study by the nursing department of New York University, touch stimulates the nerve endings, thereby relieving pain. Tactile stimulation spikes the hemoglobin levels in the blood, increasing the delivery of blood to the tissues.

Whether you’re the "hugger" or the "huggee," a hug communicates so much, say John William Smith and LeAnn Weiss, authors of Hugs for the Hurting from the best-selling Hugs series. Their heartwarming stories and inspirational quotes reach out to hug, nay, embrace the heart of the hurting. Also included in the series are: Hugs for Mom, Hugs for Dad, Hugs for Kids, Hugs for Friends, Hugs for Women, Hugs for Grads, Hugs for Brothers, Hugs for Grandma, Hugs for Daughters, Hugs for Girlfriends, Hugs for New Moms, Hugs for Pet Lovers, Hugs for Coffee Lovers, Hugs for Mom-Book 2, Hugs for Friends-Book 2, Hugs for Sons, Hugs for Nurses, Hugs for Teens, Hugs for Heroes, Hugs for Teachers, Hugs for Sisters, Hugs for Those in Love, Hugs for Grandparents, Hugs for Granddaughters, Hugs to Brighten Your Day, Hugs for Women on the Go, Hugs for Your Birthday, Hugs for the Holidays, Hugs for Scrapbookers, Hugs to Encourage and Inspire. Now, that’s an awful lot of hugs!

Now hugging the best-seller corner of the National Book Store, Hugs for the Hurting, along with the other books in the series, is one of NBS’ recommended reads for the Holy Week. It’s quite an easy read – why, you can breeze through it (only all of 121 pages with a space at the end of every story for you to write your reflections on) during commercial breaks while watching TV, on the LRT ride to and from work, or even while cooking dinner (just be sure not to burn the pork chop or the house down). It’s probably the next best thing to reading the Bible or flagellating/punishing oneself in this season of reflection and introspection.

But though a light, easy-to-digest fare, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t leave you full – and craving more "hugs."

Take the story of Susan Edgin who loved life and lived it to the fullest, leaving behind a gift of life to all those who knew her. She was not that pretty, but if you looked deep into her, she was quite beautiful. She was athletic and so full of energy, she infected everyone with it. Once, she told a runningmate who couldn’t catch up with her: "Just follow me and do what I do. I always save a little for the end – for this last hill – you can borrow from me." She met a car accident and climbed her last hill – letting go and letting God.

Life is a gift – a precious, beautiful, gift. Yes, that is exactly what life is. It is something to hold – but not too closely – because it isn’t ours. That is why Jesus instructed Mary not to hang on to him.

Then there’s George Franklin, a corporate urbanite who had gone home to the town where he was born, grew up, graduated from high school, played football, and returned to marry his high school sweetheart. By recapturing precious fragments from the past, he rediscovered the present. He went back to the home where he lived with his now ex-wife Alice. Wandering through the empty rooms, now suddenly full of memories, George mumbled to himself, "This is it, this is why I came back."

The place was in disrepair and disarray. But amid all this ugliness, George found beauty. He imagined how nice it would be if Alice would put a mantle over the old, decrepit fireplace; if he could finish the back room; add another bath and have a bedroom all to himself and Alice, now that Scott is all grown-up. And then it dawned on him: Why was he planning in terms of "we," and not "I"? All his excitement vanished into thin air when he realized that he didn’t own this house, he didn’t live in this town, he didn’t have a job here and, most importantly, he didn’t live with Alice anymore; they had been separated for two years and now, Alice and the kids lived far away. But deep in his heart he knew he was home, this was home. So he bought back the house and promised to call up his estranged wife.

For the first time in a long time, he had a plan – he knew exactly what he was doing and why.

Call up his ex-wife he did, and strangely, he found himself asking for "Mrs. George Franklin." He told her about buying the old house back and asked if they could get together and talk.

She was free this weekend and couldn’t think of anyone better to spend it with than him. They met. Love mended. She stayed. Forever.

Is there somebody important in your life you’ve lost touch with that you need to call and hug today?

There are a lot more stories in the Hugs series waiting to hug you. But don’t just sit there; reach out and hug someone today.