Morley, You Can’t Hug Me Right Now

What It’s About: My dear wife Kathleen and I visited our sweet daughter, son-in-law and our two granddaughters, ages five and three, at their United Kingdom home in Jan. 2020. It was just before the pandemic shut everything down. A wonderful part of the visit was accompanying them to their school. Our three-year-old granddaughter, Harriet, attends the nursery, and one of her friends is named Morley* (*The real name has been changed to protect the identity of this child). Each day as we arrived, Morley would greet Harriet with the longest, kindest, loving hug. It was so pure with all the innocence and uninhibited care three-year-olds give so generously. Harriet would lean in, and there they stood in embrace for a minute or so, comforting and welcoming each other. Love! Standing back to watch filled me with joy and hope.

So What?: In early March, the school closed due to the pandemic, of course. When we recently FaceTimed with the kids, Harriet was so excited because she returns to school on June 9. When I asked her about Morley, her response was: ''I have to tell Morley that he can’t hug me right now because of the virus.” She then went in to explain how the chalk lines at school were the markers for keeping distance. Do you know how hard and unnatural it is to keep toddlers social distancing? Yet incredibly, they somehow understand.

Now What?: We are all in some way, Morley and Harriet. We can’t hug for health reasons and perhaps optics, and yet in our own way it’s what we all need. Compassion has and will always be important. It nourishes us as givers and receivers. Kindness and understanding is beckoning each of us. This may come across as mushy and even silly, yet what do we really want and need? Frankly, I want that hug metaphorically if not physically. I love being part of loving. I know it’s just work. Yet it’s a fundamental part of who we are. And I want to love the people I work with for however brief or long the time is. This week, be extra kind. Think of ways of giving that Morley Hug in virtual ways. The Harriet’s out there will lean in.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now.

Lorne

One Millennial View: It’s pretty hard for that story not to put a smile on your face. I don’t know how often we can truly learn lessons from three-year-olds, but this little tale lets us know it's possible. While obviously I primarily want them to both remain healthy, I kind of hope they briefly break the rules and prove this pandemic hasn’t taken away that innocence and uninhibited care.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

Morley, You Can’t Hug Me Right Now

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