GOD HUGS
GOD HUGS “Mommy, I hurt myself.” With tears streaming down her face, my daughter comes running to me, pointing to her skinned elbow. I bend down, pick her up in my arms and give her a hug. I carry her into the house and bandage the elbow. Afterwards, we sit in the rocking chair and I let her rest in my arms a bit as we rock. Then she’s off and running again, knowing that I’m nearby. “Hugging” moments are special for parents. Cuddling up with the kids for a bedtime story, or back-from-school hugs or morning hugs or even spontaneous hugs are all treasured moments. As our children move into adolescent years, the open arm affection often is replaced by a “leaning into” hug. (When...