Healing in a hug

I had been on medical leave from work for what felt like an eternity, but it was more than just time off, it felt like my whole life was falling apart. There was no prognosis, no clear answer on when I’d be well enough to return. The uncertainty weighed on me, and it seemed like everything was unravelling, bit by bit.

But taking walks at the local dog park with my family was one of the small steps toward healing I needed. It wasn’t much, but it was a peaceful break from the constant questions and fear. The air was fresh, and the sound of dogs barking and children laughing brought a momentary reprieve from the heaviness that had taken over my life.

One day, while we were walking, we ran into a friend and fellow employee who was there with their 4-year-old son. The little boy immediately ran over, hugging my wife without hesitation. Then, without a second thought, he reached up to me and stretched out his arms.

At first, I wasn’t paying attention, distracted by my thoughts. But then I saw him, I crouched down, his tiny arms wrapping around me in a big, genuine hug. It was unexpected, simple, and pure.

In that moment, something inside me softened. Healing, I realized, comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s not about grand gestures or big, sweeping changes. Sometimes, it’s just a small, tender moment that shifts the weight of everything. That hug was so simple and without expectation. It was exactly what I needed to get through that day. It reminded me that kindness and love could still find their way into the mess that was my life.