Hugs!

There is a blog I follow that I find fascinating.  A woman is sharing her journey after conquering her drug addiction.  There is a lot of pain, a lot of stark truths and a lot of self examination and anger.  But who better to share those things with others who may be struggling than one who's been there?  And of course, with any sort of blog that deals in unpleasant things, she has many comments, among them the standard "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."   Someone posted the following after that comment:  

"What doesn’t kill you leaves you scarred and bitter.

That’s not really true,

but I say it to annoy the sheltered twits

who say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Usually the worst thing that’s ever happened to them

is a bad manicure; how would they know.

What makes you stronger is the love of friends,

family, or even strangers when you need it most.

Somehow that seems to manifest when needed,

and when you’re ready to accept it."

And he's so right.  What makes you stronger is love.  It doesn't matter what the source of that love is -- it helps us to know there's someone out there who cares. Along with love, I find that traditions and routines can help us cope with things that have become too much for ourselves.  And while some may find it a source of strength to adhere to the original saying about becoming stronger, I don't think we feel or see the effects of that until much time has passed.  What we need is something that helps in the present -- Love.

You never know where you will find it; but if you open yourself, it will find you in many astonishing places.  It's like my morning hug from Marco - just that little bit of human touch goes a very long way.  And sometimes its not the hug you get, but the hug you give that makes you feel it, too.  So if someone looks like they might need a hug -- give them one!