Hugs

When I saw the image of the huge white polar bear heading for the sled dog I was sure that big trouble was brewing but the polar bear was looking for something the owner of the dog team did not realize and that was friendship. The e-mail was a delight and the pictures that followed were amazing as the bear got her hug (with a face like that it has to be a she) and ended up with all four feet in the air, showing of her tummy waiting for more, more, more!!! Aren't we all alike? Always looking for a hug especially one of those you walk right into . . . a wonderful full body hug that tells you how special you are.

As the dictionary says: "1. to clasp or hold closely, esp. in the arms, embrace. 2. To hold steadfastly to, cherish. 3. To keep, remain, or be situated close to: a footpath that hugged the slope- to embrace or be in physical contact. -n. An affectionate clasp or embrace (Prob. of Scand. orig.) I was a little put off with the example of a footpath hugging a slope . . . I'd rather keep in mind the sight of a friend opening up with a great big smile, arms open wide and rushing right into one of those hugs that make you feel ten feet tall.

As I was tying my shoes yesterday morning and having a slow time of it with fingers that don't always want to do what I want them to do, my mind shuffled off to who invented the shoe lace. So, I went off to Google and found some interesting information . . . no one really knows although Harvey Kennedy (1790) is given credit but the argument is that this is not true as shoe laces were centuries old as humans found ways to tie something on their feet to protect them since time began. Probably that nasty serpent in the Garden of Eden teaching Eve how to trip Adam up, wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

Do you know the aglet, we called an eyelet, came about in the days of pomp and romance of the early British dandies who used precious metals (gold, silver and jewels) to tie their special slippers. Aglet translates from Latin meaning 'needle' . . . um, interesting and then someone came up with plastic and we all know the end results of that. Tying ones shoes seems a far cry from a hug, but think about it, it really isn't as you loop two strings together and make them into a bow that reminds us of Cupid and with that comes hugs.....logic.....never fails. Also, I didn't know that there were hundreds of ways to tie shoe laces. I only know one and that is the bunny ears . . . aah, you know that one.

So today, as you go about your hump day and wonder how it got here so fast . . . remember hugs are good, hugs are necessary to the human spirit. Get out there and give a hug or two and charge the human spirit in all of us be it in love, in solace or in friendship. I guarantee it doesn't hurt even a little bit. Hugs to all.