a hug

On Friday night I spent the evening with a few other folks handing out food and socks and clothing to homeless people on the streets and in the alley's of Vancouver. One pair offered us a laptop. Another man offered his life story. Another man we found binning had piercingly beautiful eyes. I think if he shaved off his beard he would be one of those men you look at twice. As the evening came to an end we approached a couple of guys who both had overflowing carts likely containing all of their worldly possessions. I asked one of them if he wanted a pair of socks which he took. He then looked at me and said, "Can I have a hug?" To which I responded, "no". He said, "aw come on" and something inside of me broke. "Okay". So I hugged him. Rather, he hugged me. Surprisingly he smelled like cologne. The polite amount of time past and I released my arms to back away and he kept hugging. At first a little bit of panic went through me and I said, "you can let go now." He said, "uh huh". But he didn't let go. One of the other girls I was with said, "hey! let her go." Reluctantly he released me. "thanks." "you're welcome." I wonder how often he gets hugged? How often does he even have someone touch him in a positive way?

My heart is a little sad that my first response was "no". I'm sad that I have been conditioned by society and my humanity to resist that from someone like him. A homeless person who has chosen out of circumstance or necessity to live outside the realm of normalcy. At least what most would consider normal. He is a person who is of equal value to me and you. He has the same blood and organs as anyone else. He likely desires many of the same things you and I desire. To be loved and cared for. He has a soul and a spirit. He is valuable simply because he is. Had I chosen not to hug him I would have reinforced to him that he is undesirable and unworthy when in fact the opposite is true. Sadly, I hesitated. Gladly, he was hugged. I hope I embrace the next opportunity with a resounding yes. Yes! I will hug you or feed you or clothe you or visit you because you are and that is enough.