A Warm Embrace

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love

~Bob Dylan           

The tears started streaming down her face. It had been a long (few) weeks for her and the emotional weight had finally started to take its toll–carrying twins for 38 weeks can do that to any woman–I would imagine.  She had done so well and remained strong all the way to finish. 

Finally, the twins had arrived!!!  But now a new set of challenges had arisen–caring for two newborns while her body tries to recover from the surgery.  Three days in the hospital with sporadic sleep had caught up to her and she had reached her breaking point.  She so badly wanted to go home and get her life back to (the whole new) normal of being the mother of four children under the age of five. 

She had tried to hold it in but couldn’t any longer, the steady flow of tears dampened the hospital pillow lying on her lap.  In walked in the surgeon who had performed her C-section.  We expected him to simply give us the necessary information needed as she cares for herself and her two infants.  But he didn’t give information.  He asked questions—personal questions—about her own health.   

How are you really doing?

You look upset? 

Are you disappointed that you aren’t able to leave today? 

More tears.  Then the Dr. said he would go get her her own box of tissues to catch her tears and dry her eyes.  He walked away only to return with a brand new box of tissues just for her like he said he would.  Then, he did something that MANY doctors wouldn’t think of doing especially with how busy the hospital was that day.  But he didn’t seem to care.  In fact, he didn’t pay any attention to anything other than her.  He sat down next to her on the bed and simply let her cry for as long as she needed to. 

After several minutes she finally got a few words out.   

I’m just tired right now…really, really, tired.   

I know.  He said. 

She stopped crying.  He then said:

I am very very proud of you.

We are all very very proud of you.  You are a wonderful mom. 

You have done remarkably well.  Better than almost every other mom who has ever carried twins before.  This, too, shall pass.  You are strong. 

He then stood up and did something I have never seen any other Doctor do before—and I have spent much of my life in the Doctors office–he gave her a HUG.  A long, warm, tender hug.  And she needed it. 

There are times in all of our lives where we, too, need a long, warm, tender embrace.  Maybe you are a mom and you are questioning your parenting abilities.  You wonder whether or not you have what it takes to raise one, two, three, or four children.  Maybe you recently went through a painful divorce and you are living with shame and guilt—even though you know it wasn’t your fault.  Maybe you recently lost a loved one and your life just isn’t the same now and you are having an impossible time adjusting to the (whole new) normal. 

It is moments like these where we all need a long, warm, tender embrace– to know we are loved—to be reminded that we have what it takes—to be reminded that it wasn’t our fault and that time will bring healing. 

Someone once said, ‘A hug is the best medicine.’ 

We hope today, that you can receive the peace, comfort, and consolation you need to help see you through.

Photo by Luana Azevedo on Unsplash