So this just happened.
A knock on my front door, and it is a neighbor, one I don't interact with much. A guy just a bit younger than me. Also lives alone. He was walking around our little neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking if we needed a hug, he gives big long bear hugs. He said, "Tomorrow is the start of a bad time, we all are going to need a physical reminder that we can make it through. So here's the first of many hugs."
This was so great.
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Just a small word about this neighbor. I have spoken about him before. He is a widower. And a loner. But mentally and physically very strong. He is also a "First Century Christian", devoted to the teachings of Jesus. He is the most quiet of my neighbors. Slow and deferential in speech. Yet aware of what is going on, here locally in the Forest, and in the world. We disagree about many things. But have a bond "like two old guys handing wrenches to each other", silently getting shit done. He is a big guy, 6'4, 300 lb. but moves like a dancer or a boxer. The first thing you notice about him is his smile, broad and genuine.
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We need more men like him. More neighbors like him. Exceedingly confident in his gentleness. Yet strong and experienced that you immediately want him on your side of the barricades. Somehow you see in his eyes that he has survived many fights. Many bad times. But has through his faith found a way to not become hardened, or cynical. He is a man I admire.
I hugged him right back, hard and long.
A knock on my front door, and it is a neighbor, one I don't interact with much. A guy just a bit younger than me. Also lives alone. He was walking around our little neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking if we needed a hug, he gives big long bear hugs. He said, "Tomorrow is the start of a bad time, we all are going to need a physical reminder that we can make it through. So here's the first of many hugs."
This was so great.
+
Just a small word about this neighbor. I have spoken about him before. He is a widower. And a loner. But mentally and physically very strong. He is also a "First Century Christian", devoted to the teachings of Jesus. He is the most quiet of my neighbors. Slow and deferential in speech. Yet aware of what is going on, here locally in the Forest, and in the world. We disagree about many things. But have a bond "like two old guys handing wrenches to each other", silently getting shit done. He is a big guy, 6'4, 300 lb. but moves like a dancer or a boxer. The first thing you notice about him is his smile, broad and genuine.
+
We need more men like him. More neighbors like him. Exceedingly confident in his gentleness. Yet strong and experienced that you immediately want him on your side of the barricades. Somehow you see in his eyes that he has survived many fights. Many bad times. But has through his faith found a way to not become hardened, or cynical. He is a man I admire.
I hugged him right back, hard and long.