Foolish Thoughts

“When she held out her arms, the world itself wrapped around me & held me tight.”  www.storypeople.com

Have you ever been swallowed by a hug?  Been completely consumed in someone’s arms?   Had your day turned around by one embrace?  Had your world stand still by one squeeze?  I have.  It’s one of my most favorite things in the world.  Actually, it’s my favorite.

Normally, I’m not an affectionate person.  I’ve always been that way.  I hate using the word always, but in this case it’s true.  Everyone says so.   I tend to keep people at a distance, at least an arms length away, until it comes to the devouring hug.  A hug that you get lost in.  A hug that lasts longer than 15 seconds.  A hug that you don’t want to let go of.  A hug that in an instant can turn an atrocious day into a pleasurable one.  These are hard to find, but when you do, you cling to it.  You don’t want it to end.  It’s implausible to believe that something so small, so minute, so trivial could be so significant and substantial to your happiness and well being.  It’s a hug, nothing more than an embrace.  But when it’s done the right way, by the right person, at the right time, it’s magnetic, soothing and uplifting.

This type of hug can only be given by certain people, Skilled Hug Connoisseurs; at least that’s what I call them.  Rarely are they aware they possess these hugging talents.  But once you are hugged by one of them you immediately know. 
The last time I was lucky enough to receive one of these hugs was a couple of months ago.  I was in NY and had the opportunity of meeting and listening to an incredible writer who I’m fanatical about and who I learned is an exceptional Skilled Hug Connoisseur.  We met for tea and a tarot reading before her book reading.  We had never met before, only exchanged emails.  But upon meeting she greeted me with the biggest, warmest, affectionate hug.  Her arms swallowed me whole.  I wanted to bottle it up and keep it forever. I wanted to live in that hug.  Throughout the evening I discovered her personality, character and spirit to be just as big and warm and affectionate.  Her laugh alone was intoxicating and contagious.  She is someone who you enjoy being around.  You are blessed just by being in the same room with.  She has such a positive, exhilarating, hilarious disposition that you can’t help but adore her.  She’s real.  She embraces her flaws along with her strengths and talents.  She doesn’t seem to be afraid to be vulnerable.  I admire her.  I would like to share a fragment of her qualities and character.  And I would be overjoyed to have her amazing hug capabilities.  I would hug myself everyday, all day and then at night I would share my hugging skills with those in need of a good squeeze.  After all, a hug can turn your day around.         

I have to go back to the doctor this week…AND I’m not looking forward to it.

“She asked me when the season of joy was supposed to end & I said I didn’t really think there was an exact date, so we left the tree up till June that year.”  storypeople.com

My mother still has her Christmas decorations up, sans the tree, of course.  But the countless angels, snowmen, rugs, sheets, comforters, and pillows are all out, proclaiming it’s still the joyous holiday season.  I’m thinking I should be concerned.

Terra Naomi:  Mind-blowing!

Really!  

I was recently introduced to her music, and instantly hooked and obsessed.  Every single song I love.   As any music lover knows, that’s something very rare.  Normally, there’s one or two songs that are just, eh ok.  But even her covers are incredible, including; Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper, Santeria, by Sublime, and my favorite, Umbrella, by Rihanna.  But however impressive her covers are, her original songs are 100 times that.  Right now I’m smitten with, Say It’s Possible and Up Hear.  I can’t get enough.  I catch myself singing them in the shower, in the car, walking down the street…I love it!  Though, I’m head over heels for, Too Far Gone.  It is THE BEST song I’ve heard in quite some time.  It’s a joint effort by Terra Naomi and Rachel Thibodeau.  Unfortunately, you can only find it here on Youtube. 

But, like always, I like to give you a little taste of the good stuff.  So please enjoy, Terra Naomi: Up Here.

“I was never good at hide & seek because I’d always make enough noise so my friends would be sure to find me. I don’t have anyone to play those games with any more, but now & then I make enough noise just in case someone is still looking & hasn’t found me yet.”  story people.com

As a child, I never wanted to hide by myself; afraid no one would come and find me.  This fear stems from playing with my older sister, Stacy Leigh.  Who would send my younger sister, Tara and I to hide.  But after going to count, she would “forget” to come find us.  We would hide for what seemed like hours, emerging to find her on the couch watching T.V.  I would then demand, “What happened?”  She would laugh and reply, “Oops, I guess I forgot.” 

Though, there were times where finding us was not the problem.  I remember one particular game of Hide & Seek, crawling up on the counter in a corner behind a stack of clothes in the laundry room.  I wanted Tara to hide with me, but there wasn’t room.  So, I convinced her to hide inside the dryer.  We had been hiding for only minutes, when out of no where she starts screaming and crying and banging on the door.  I guess she panicked, curled up in the dark with the door shut (I had shut it against her will, insisting “I have to!”).  Though, I didn’t dare move.  I was hiding and in a good place.  Our mother heard her shrilling screams and came running.  My only defense was, “What?  I didn’t turn it on!”  Least to say, we were not allowed to play Hide & Seek for a while after that.  And not before many rules and guidelines were established.
    
As a child, Hide & Seek was just a game.  Where if not found, I could come out and demand my seeker to find me. Now, as an adult, love and relationships have become my game of Hide & Seek.  What I feared as a child, I’ve grown accustomed to as an adult.  I don’t mind hiding alone.  I’ve made that little corner in the laundry room home, content if no one finds me.  But lately, I’ve panicked a little.  I’ve wanted to scream out, “I’M HERE!  I’M RIGHT HERE!”  But I’m afraid no one is looking.