As 2020 was taking its last gasping breaths, late last evening, I was browsing some Cable news channels (unsure which TV channel) and was struck by a news story. It put front and center, an everyday action I had not thought about – how important it is in our very existence and survival.

There were 2 stories covered, that I am paraphrasing, as I describe it below

  1. The first coverage showed a front-line NY Health care worker, who had to work in the ICU and the ER. She had a 2-year old daughter who was left in the care of her parents (lucky for her), for the entire period she was doing God’s work saving as many lives as possible. She had to be away from her child for a period of 6-8 weeks, as she worked long arduous hours, followed by a 2-week quarantine period, before she could return home for a week-long break. After which, of course she repeats the cycle all over. The camera covered her as she walked down the road towards her Apartment. On the other side the camera captured her 2-year old who was staring at the lady coming in her direction, semi-incredulous that it was indeed her dear Mom, as promised. As the gap closes, I watched with expectation as to how the situation would unfold. The next few minutes were one of the most genuine and touching scenes I have ever witnessed. As the child, convinced that the lady was indeed her Mom, started to rush towards her; Mommy dear fell to her knees with outstretched arms. The 2-year old was engulfed in the loving arms of her Mother. The child was running her fingers through her Mom’s hair, gripping them to make sure her Mom would never go away again. The emotions of the moment were like a tidal wave, which swept me. I was right there in the moment, in the streets of NY, sharing this beautiful unification moment, with moistened eyes.
  2. The second coverage was about 2, 6-8 year old cousins who lived in the same town, and pre-Covid, met couple of times a week and played and loved to spend fun time like most kids. They shared a sibling like relationship, although cousins. Since May-2020 they had not met for the first 4-6 months. Of course they video-called regularly, played on-line games – but were never within 6 feet without face masks and strict observation of the Covid guidelines. Around Thanksgiving time since the 2 families had always been in their own bubbles, the parents decided to let the 2 siblings meet, briefly, without masks. One of the parents captured their meeting in a video recording – which the TV channel shared for their viewers like me. The 2 kids (who would have normally hugged, upon meeting) hesitantly started walking towards each other. When they were about a foot apart, they came to a stand-still. It almost appeared, that given the constant barrage of social distancing – the little kids were fighting their normal instincts to hug and were waiting for some form of ‘permission’ from the adults. After about 10 seconds, they gave in to their core inner feelings and went into one of the tightest, longest lasting hugs I have ever seen. The kids needed to re-affirm that the hug felt like it did 6 months ago and they were indeed the same cousins.

Again, this was a very touching moment, emphasizing the need for us humans to co-exist and how proximity, the human touch and closeness is primitive to our existence.

So, as we slowly emerge from our long dark and lonely tunnel (most of 2020) – we are still here for Q1-2021 – into the clear bright days ahead of us by H2-2021; let us remember and re-sync back into how we lived our lives, a year ago. We are social beings and need the interaction, proximity, touch – and yes our hugs to re-enforce our internal well-being.

I for one am really waiting for the post-Covid-vaccine days, when I can see and hug my children and grand-kids – whenever I wish and not wait for some quarantine guideline directive – with face-masks and social distancing. It is accepted social norm to hug/greet dear friends and close acquaintances. Our lives are tuned to the need for this exchange and I am looking forward to the H2-2021 and the “Return of Hugging”