Everybody needs a hug and a kiss now and then. Just the other day, as I was walking along Michigan Avenue (downtown Chicago), I was reminded of this. While I was walking, I noticed a silver-colored – rounded triangular-shaped costumed character. The character was standing about a block from Hershey’s Chocolate World. Don’t worry, I remember that I am in a highly contested “Abs Challenge’ with my son which I plan to win.
Can I be honest with you? I did notice the chocolate store from a far and there was slight amount of drool that started to excrete from the side of my mouth but I know you want me to win the “Abs Challenge” so I didn’t go in. However, like a Zombie with a sweet tooth, I continued walking towards the Hershey’s Chocolate World. I walked closer not to tempt fate and sabotage my inevitable “Abs Challenge” victory over my son but I walked closer so that I could get a good look at the costumed character.
Life Sized Hershey Kiss
Standing right before me was a life-sized Hershey Kiss. If I am honest with you, my first thought was who in the world would sign on to wear that costume in the oppressive hot and humid Chicago summer days. Fortunately, this was only a passing thought and my mind became fixated on something much more important.
As I stared at the life-sized Hershey Kiss, the life-sized Hershey Kiss stared back at me. (My mother use to say that it was rude to stare. Sorry mom!) At first, I thought that my staring had embarrassed the person inside the costume or made them self-conscious. Then I thought, Nate don’t be ridiculous you don’t know who they are and they made a conscious decision to wear the costume. Get over yourself!
While I was having this internal dialogue, the life-sized Hershey Kiss stretched their arms out motioning for me to allow them to give me a hug. A hug I thought no way, I’m too old, I’m too manly for that, what if someone sees me getting a hug from a life-sized Hershey’s kiss…
So like all old, macho, insecure grown men, I walked away from the life-sized Hershey Kiss. Then after, walking about a block in the opposite direction it dawned on me, everybody needs a hug and a kiss now and then.
We Can ALL Use a Hug and a Kiss
It’s true sometimes we all need a hug and a kiss. Sometimes something as innocent as a hug and a kiss can completely change the course of a day, a week, a month, a year or a lifetime. A hug from the life-sized Hershey Kiss was an outward expression of kindness offered by a complete stranger to me that I childishly rejected. Could I have used a hug from a Kiss? Absolutely! Might the life-sized Hershey Kiss been in need of a hug? Probably!
Today, do yourself a favor and don’t be the idiot that I was the other day. If you come into contact with a life-sized Hershey Kiss and they offer you a hug accept it. If you see someone who looks like they need a hug and a kiss don’t pretend you didn’t notice them. Don’t avoid them. Instead, stretch out your arms just like the life-sized Hershey Kiss attempted to do for me, then give them a hug and a peck on the forehead or cheek. That’s all you have to do.
Especially Your Children
Even though children often protest outward open public affection from their parents, they actually thrive on it. Nothing compares to human touch particularly the loving and warm embrace of a devoted parent. Even at my age, I can honestly say that there are few things better than when my mother embraces me and kisses me on the cheek.
Human touch and connectedness are so vital that we should never take them for granted. So today before you start in on all the things that your child needs to do, hasn’t done, etc…stretch out your arms, embrace your child and give them a gentle kiss on the forehead or cheek.
And while you are in the hugging and kissing spirit, feel free to hug and kiss others that hold a special place in your heart. Remember today might be your last chance to hug anyone…tomorrow is certainly not promised.
If by some ill-fated disaster someone you wished you had hugged today is not around to hug tomorrow, the real beneficiary of today’s hug and kiss will be you. A hug and a kiss is a small price to pay for great piece of mind.
When was the last time you hugged and kissed your child?