Hugs

Aren’t hugs important, youngest Akerman came up to me the other night, as I sat on the Patio door steps, and we went into our usual routine, both saying “arms extend, grab and hug”.

Does anyone remember those first hugs from their Grandma and Grandad, for me, it was a mixture of the smell of mothballs, and extra strong mints, and Grandad’s tickly moustache. But for someone who has a poor short term memory, but great long term, these senses bring comfort, even today.

Then there are always the hugs which Mum gives you on your first day at school, along with the “don’t worry”.

What can one say about the way our European cousins openly hug each other as a formal greeting, whereas we still, reservedly, shake one another’s hands.

I was going to say, how I could see Sainsbury’s from the Patio door, but of course I can’t but you only have to walk through their, or any other store, and you are ‘hugged’ by the smell, they pipe to the front of the shop of warm, of fresh, warm baked bread, just like Granny used to make, making us feel secure, that we are at home.

I thought I might tell you about that first kiss in the school playground, (well you will have to allow me some poetic license here), I think mine was a kiss and a hug, as five year olds Susan Walker and myself (see I even remember her name) hugged, with the rest of the school looking on.

All of the above hugs are good ways of making us feel secure and safe in the peace of mind that there is someone there to look after us, with me, yes it’s our Lord guiding me, but it’s also the feeling of my Father, my Grandparents and the congregation at St. Marks hugging me along my way.

The church hugs me all the time, the physical structure gives me a hug, it makes me feel warm, content and at home, whereas the familiar friends and faces which makes up the body of our church offer those embraces of Love and Peace which are the signs of Our Lords Love for us all, the more hugs we share the stronger his Love will grow.

Paul