The Importance of Hugs

Sometimes the difference between good and evil comes in the form of a simple expression of affection.

Sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes, the villain is a person slighted his (or her) whole life, and all he (or she) ever really wanted was just proof that someone actually cared for his (or her) soul.

Sometimes, the villain is just a villain.

Sometimes, when there's a young man sitting at a table in the coffee shop, he is crying because he was just rejected by the last graduate school on his list, and his brilliant girlfriend dumped him because he was "holding her back" and his brother just committed suicide two months, three weeks, and four days ago.

Sometimes, he's crying tears of anger and frustration because his minions have left him, and his plans are falling apart. Not that he cares about the grunts, just that this makes it ten times harder to take over the world.

Sometimes, there is a person (often a mother) who puts a hand on the shoulder of the young man and offers them a handkerchief.

Often, the patrons look away uncomfortably and let the man cry.

Mostly, people try to ignore those who are most in need of attention.

And sometimes, even a handkerchief is not enough, anyway.

But, once in a very long while, there is a person who will take the young man by the shoulders and embrace him -- and she (or he) will tell the young man that everything will be okay, even if it won't.

Sometimes, that hug doesn't matter.

Sometimes, it does.

Inspiration: My friend's conversation with his girlfriend about why hugs are important.