Sometimes we all get rattled.
When bad news surprises you, painful memories flash back, or heavy moments turn your stomach to Jell-O, it’s great to fall into a warm and comforting pair of big, wide open arms.
Shaking with sobs, dripping with tears, you snort up your runny nose and smear snot across their shoulder as that hug relaxes you and comforts you and helps you get through everything, even for a minute, even for a moment.
Maybe there are ‘It’s going to be okay’ whispers, some gentle back-rubbing, or just the quiet silence of knowing that they’re not going to let go until you let go first. As their steady arms support you, and the pain washes over you, the hug gives you a warm glow in a shivery moment.
So when you eventually pull back, smile that classic ‘I’m sorry and thank you‘ smile, and swipe wet bangs off your forehead, you still might not feel great, but if you’re lucky you feel a little more
AWESOME!
(Hi everybody, there is a new announcement in the Book section.)
Illustration from: here
33 Comments
August 17, 2009 at 1:01 am
Oh wow, this post came at a great time.
There really is nothing quite like a huge hug to give us a bit of strength that is totally and completely
AWESOME.
August 17, 2009 at 1:06 am
By the way, I went back and read that post about your friend Chris, and it (once again) brought a lump to my throat.
If I could, I would give you a real bear hug. But this cyber one will have to do…
**HUGE, GINORMOUS. CYBERBEARHUG**
Keep being awesome, please. : )
August 17, 2009 at 1:31 am
It’s been a long time since I experienced one of these.
These things cure any sadness, guaranteed or your money back.
August 17, 2009 at 4:29 am
[...] squirreltastic! served with a side of ridiculous « an overambitious catfish 699 August 17, 2009 Awesome thing #699. [...]
August 17, 2009 at 7:39 am
Love it!
August 17, 2009 at 7:57 am
However don’t be mistaken! Sometimes you might think a hug will help, but if you move in for a kind and sweet hug to tell your wife sorry she had a bad day, you just might focus that anger in your direction…. in that case you could find yourself saying “god, make me a bird so I can fly far far away from here.” :)
http://www.marriageconfessions.com
August 17, 2009 at 8:00 am
I’ve been reading your blog for a long while now, and I don’t think I’ve ever commented. I read it when I’m having a bad day, and need a smile, or having a good day and wanting to share it.
I wanted to thank you for how well timed this post was, since I had a small break down last night regarding my father’s death. This made me realise how much my friends and remaining family have supported me. Thanks!
August 17, 2009 at 9:54 am
Tracy,
I’m very sorry for your loss, and I also want to salute you for your courage in posting your comment. I lost my dad recently, too, and I can also attest to the importance of that support of friends and family.
People out there, I have a word for you, too:
don’t be afraid to hug the grieving people. Yes, we might break down on your shoulder, but we kind of need it. And someday, we’ll return the favour. Because, as R.E.M. so beautifully put it, “Everybody hurts, sometimes.”
August 17, 2009 at 8:35 am
I am going to send this to the great huggers in my life.
You did this justice and more.
August 17, 2009 at 9:06 am
I could really use one of these hugs today. Thanks for the post.
August 17, 2009 at 9:22 am
This one made me choke up a little. Nothing feels better than a ginormous hug like this. Icing on top: when you pull away and the hugger wipes your tears off.
Thank you to all of the great huggers in the world.
August 17, 2009 at 9:55 am
Favourite movie version:
When Robin Williams hugs Matt Damon in “Good Will Hunting” while repeating “It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.”
August 17, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I think they stole that from Family Guy
August 17, 2009 at 11:11 am
I’m not sure which is more awesome, receiving the hug or giving the hug. Both are pretty awesome.
August 17, 2009 at 5:33 pm
This brought tears to my eyes, sooo wonderful – we’ve all been there. Thank you!
August 17, 2009 at 9:47 pm
These kinds of hugs seem to happen mostly between my dad and I — we swap roles as hugger and huggee — and it inevitably ends with the huggee mumbling “sorry I snotted on you.” I wear my snot patch as a bit of a badge of honour, really.
August 17, 2009 at 10:24 pm
I came to AZ for medical tests at VA, found out I had cancer, and it’s gonna take a long time to treat it & beat it.
I’m living by myself. Can’t drive.
I haven’t seen my wife for 8 months. I’ve yet to see my newest grandson who was born after I left, won’t be able to go home for another 8months or so.
Man I could use one of those hugs now!
Or a very large drink.
Not that I’m complaining….awesome.
August 18, 2009 at 11:00 am
Greg, if there were a way of giving you a cyber hug that you could actually feel, I am sure we all would get together and give you one each day for the needed future.
Barbara
August 17, 2009 at 11:03 pm
This post was like a big hug. Thank you guys and THANK YOU MOM YOU’RE THE BEST AND I LOVE U
August 19, 2009 at 3:08 pm
i need a hug right now… :(
August 21, 2009 at 8:44 am
I hope you found someone to let you snot up their shirt. :(
*internet hug
August 20, 2009 at 8:14 pm
[...] In other news, 1000 Awesome Things is entertaining me, and it should you too. I especially like this rather pleasing bear, who represents awesome thing no.699: [...]
September 2, 2009 at 12:28 am
I really need ten of those right now…one of the few cons of having a long distance relationship…
September 2, 2009 at 12:32 am
I need like 10 of those right now cuz my life sucks fat ass…one of the few cons of having a long distance relationship…
September 3, 2009 at 12:05 am
People come to my office…not only to see the psychiatrist or the counselors…..but to get a hug from me. Therapeutic in its’ own right
September 8, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I always say that I judge people by their hugs. A hug hello, a hug good-bye and a hug when you just need a hug are my three criteria.
My best friend/cousin gives the best hugs hello. Long enough that you know she missed you like crazy and just needs to hold on for a second, but not so long that it’s awkward. A guy I barely know who is a friend of the family gives the best good-bye hug I’ve ever had. And my other best friend is perfect for hugs when you need one. He’s about 9 inches taller than me, so it’s a very protected hug.
I love hugs!
November 16, 2009 at 4:43 am
A few weeks ago I found out my nephew had died while I was at work. I broke down during lunch and my friend (who generally hates physical contact as much as I do) was there, gave me the best hug, and just let me sob on her (snot and all) for a few minutes. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until she hugged me.
November 16, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I have some co-worker problems at work, and I’m not one to share ALL my feelings with people. I was in a dire need of one of these hugs you speak of. I sought out these friends, they may not have known the specific reason I required one of these hugs, but they were more than happy to obliege. And for that I thank you doesn’t seem to express the thanks that I mean.
November 17, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Thank you to those strangers who give us hugs when we are otherwise “alone” but really need one.
I was trying to pick up a prescription at Walgreens and I was sobbing and had tears allover my face because I was stressed, exhausted, had a horrible job, and had just got off the phone with my boyfriend of 8 years, who was living in a different city, and had just been telling me he didn’t want to be in a relationship right now and I was confused about why he was trying to break up with me.
I felt like the run on sentence that I just wrote. I could barely talk to the pharmacist to pay for my meds. And you were there, a young woman, brown hair, in your natural earthy clothes, and you just saw that I was crying and looked like I was going to fall apart. And you had the grace to ask me “Do you want a hug?” And I said yes. And that was a long hug, for people who didn’t even know eachother’s names. But it really helped.
I won’t forget that moment. My boyfriend did break up with me. Then a few months later, we did reunite. Then he moved back to our home to live with me. Then I did get a better job. As much chaos as I had in that moment of our hug, that is as much happiness as I have now. And I will always remember that moment of compassion and one physical act of a hug among two people who share being human, and caring for eachother, for just a moment.
December 3, 2009 at 1:57 pm
[...] #699 A long hug when you really need it [...]
December 19, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Yup, and the feeling to know someone cares. About your feelings, and feels it when you do.
December 20, 2009 at 1:05 pm
This post took me back to high school. I remember one day I was having a bad day already, and I was only walking to my first period class. I woke up late, got a crappy parking spot, it was gloomy and grey out, and I was already late to class. My high school had a big special ed program, and it was awesome because, even in my school of over 5000 people, everyone loved them and were incredibly tolerant (slightly off-topic, but I always thought it was so amazing that we didn’t have a bully problem with these kids…something awesome in its own right). Anyway, I walked into the building where my class was, and one of the special ed kids was in there. I smiled at him, like I do to anyone I pass, and without a word, he ran up to me and engulfed me in the best hug I’ve ever had. Suddenly, I didn’t care that I was late, or that I would have to walk out to the boondocks to get my car later in the bad weather. All my tests and homework didn’t matter. I had a smile plastered on my face the rest of the day. When someone gives you a hug and you really need it, even if you don’t know you do, it is the best feeling in the world.
January 9, 2010 at 3:00 am
[...] your good old knife. You laugh, sniffle, and shake your head before giving the person beside you a big hug and smiling up at the world. Clouds part, bugles blare, and everything fills up with the giant [...]