Time to make time

Why do we get so busy ? So busy we do not make that call to family members or friends that we keep putting off for the right moment. I always think I will make that call from the car on the way into work or in between stops, after work, after dinner, after this show, after I get the house cleaned, the car cleaned (if you have rode in my car you know that does not happen very often !!) . How many cards have I written and never mailed? (I have an envelope of stamps I have tore off of cards I never mailed)  How many times do we think of someone and think I need to tell her/him that and let that moment pass ? I am bad about calls, cards, emails...but I have a rule concerning texting and facebook posts. If I feel something, have a thought I need to share, a compliment, a prayer for someone, sometimes it just a feeling... I text or facebook that person =) Rhett has not always been understanding of my need to do this !! He has learned to tolerate my texting and facebooking over the last year. He has given his blessing on this need of mine and I appreciate him doing so.
Today I got a call from my step-father. My Mom has been sick and to the Dr. 2 times. She was told she has pneumonia, received a shot and some meds sent home to get better. When we talk on the phone it is not for more than 3 minutes because she cannot talk without coughing. Yesterday I told her she needed to go back and tell them she needed to stay because she was not getting better. I can still hear his shaky voice and I knew it was not a social call. He said  " I am sorry to have to use this word but they think she has cancer."....... I felt like someone just took my skip out of my step, the wind from my sails. What ?? Seriously ? My afternoon has been spent praying, crying, talking to my sisters and texts from friends. My Mom just retired !! She has worked my lifetime. For years she worked jobs that many men could not work. She outworked men half her age. She worked 2, 3 jobs at a time. She is a worker =) It is hard to see her suffer and to be weak. It is not the Momma I know. I have these pestering feelings of guilt. Why have I not been better at making calls, why do I not visit more? My Mom does not do facebook, texting... but that should not be my excuse...  No matter what the results we get from her tests tomorrow, I have already decided that I will make phone calls, will send the letters, will visit more. I will not be too busy =) There is never a better moment, the house will never be clean enough, there will always be another movie to watch, toilet to clean, cookie to burn, load of laundry to do...and yes they must be done..but those things do not make memories.

Me and my Momma =)

Hi ! My name is Jenifer and I am a hugger.

I am a hugger !! My intentions are good. I promise. I know that everyone is not a hugger and they have their "boundaries".  I have offered hug lessons jokingly to some friends.  I can help you =)
I grew up in a hugging family. We hugged when we left the house. Back then we didn't have cell phones, so when you left the house you hugged everyone bye and narrowed down the time you were expected home.  We always said goodbye. Never did we walk out the door without some sort of shout of love or squeeze. When we had family gatherings we hugged, (and hugged) when we got there and before we left. Yes, it took some time to get through everyone, but it was expected. When Rhett and I started dating I was 16 and he was 20. I can guarantee you they did not hug him that first night he came to pick me up. Actually, they had a chair in the middle of the front room where he sat and they fired questions about what he wanted with their daughter. I stood patiently (My pink pants were ironed and I did not want wrinkles) and wished they would just all hug and get it over with. He did not come from a hugging family. Imagine the torture he endured at family gatherings =) Even worse, imagine what his family thought of me always going in for a tight squeeze around the neck !! It makes me laugh now. If you know Rhett now then you know he survived and he is now a proud hugger. We even have 3 hugging boys. I love that they are affectionate. I have watched the boys and their friends go through some pretty tough times lately and I have seen some extreme hugging going on. Warms my heart to see young men and women comfort each other like that.
If you are not a hugger, it is OK. I do not judge you =) I do kinda feel sorry for you. Hugging is a such a great way to communicate, to connect, to comfort, to celebrate. YES !! It does all those things. Makes you want to try it.... go ahead go hug someone and come right back.................................................
Feel better ? Let's go over your technique. Did you put your arms around loosely where only your forearms are touching and do a little "pat pat pat" ?? Did you ? I will send you a sign up sheet for my hugging lessons.
There are different types of hugs for different situations and "boundaries". There are bear hugs, group hugs, man hug, missed you hug, side to side hug, awkward hugs.
 I like my hugs like this... arms all the way around and tight around the huggee and held for longer than a few seconds, and always to my good ear =) Sometimes it calls for jumping up and down, sometimes laughter, sometimes crying, sometimes prayer, but I always "wrap up and hold".  I love for my days to be filled with smiles, laughter, and hugs. All 3 of those wonderful things can change someones day !! Woot Woot
If you are not a hugger I encourage you to look into this habit. I did some research and there is even Hugging Etiquette. There are also health benefits !! I am serious =)
When you hug someone there is that instant connection. You are showing love. People need to be connected and we need to feel loved. I challenge you to smile, laugh, and hug.