I’ve never been much of a hugger. If everyone respected my bubble and stayed out of my space, I’d be good with that. Except I have six kids and from the minute my first one began growing in my womb, she’s invaded every inch of my life.
As a baby, she suckled while her eyes fixated on my face and her little fingers curled around mine.
As a toddler, she threw her chubby little arms around my neck and settled in my lap for a story.
As a preschooler, she dragged a stool to the kitchen counter insisting on helping me cook. We spent more time picking out eggshells from batter than baking but it was worth it.
As a school-age girl, she mimics me at every turn. Phrases I’ve said spill from her lips while that familiar hand perches on her hip as she admonishes her younger siblings.
As she grew, the hugs became less frequent. Maybe it was my fault. I kept birthing babies and they took up residence in my arms and laps. I had new babies to hold. She took a backseat to my hugs.
She never complained. Occasionally, she’d sidle up to me and slip into the small space next to me on the sofa. Let’s talk, mama, she’d say. Her hand always rested on my arm or leg. Her now slender arm sometimes snakes around my shoulders and she rested her head against me. She needed me.
Why did I ever think she’d outgrow hugs?
Hugs from Mama
This beautiful child grows in grace and maturity every day but she’ll never grow out of the need to be hugged by her mama.
I know this now because I don’t have my own mama to hug anymore. Oh, to feel her soft arms speckled with age spots wrapped around me. Oh, to hear her whisper words of encouragement as I raise my own babies. Oh, to see her face light up in joy as one of her grandbabies throws their arms around her.
I wish I knew then what I know now. Because we aren’t promised tomorrow, we aren’t guaranteed that one last hug.
So today, I promise to make the most of these tender moments. To take a few minutes to pull my growing children into a loving embrace. To connect our hearts emotionally and physically. To be the one she can run to and throw her arms around no matter what life brings her.
The touch of a mama brings healing and love and is worth breaking out of my bubble for.
