Free Christmas (Pool) Hugs

Today at the pool two people asked if Edward gives hugs.

The first was a friend who's 101 year-old grandmother had just died. This guy is very passionate, and the kind of person for whom a 101 year-old's death would be a great tragedy. After a short conversation about his loss he asked if Edward gives hugs. Immediately Edward moved in and embraced him. Then my friend turned and gave me a hug as well—two guys in winter coats hugging at the front desk of the pool. I can do that!

Half an hour later, after swimming our lengths, we bumped into another friend—a woman with stage four cancer. After talking, and hearing that she was going to be alone at Christmas, she also asked if Edward ever gives hugs. On queue, Edward gave her a big hug right there in the pool. All I could do was smile… right up until the woman asked if I could give her a hug as well. For the past four months I’ve been meeting with her to talk about live, death, and God. Often we end our conversations (in a coffee shop) with a hug. But to hug someone in the pool felt different! It only took a second for me to realize that if Edward can do it, so can I.

Driving home I wondered what it is about Edward that makes him so approachable. He's the kind of person that people want a hug from. I suppose it has a lot to do with his non-judgmental and loving nature. He's also the kind of person who knows that love always supercedes discomfort.