Time for a Hug
It has been 5 weeks since Levi has been able to do his pool therapy and spend time with his (water) Physical Therapist. Holidays, biter cold weather, illness and death: all have been reasons why the month of January was lost. In this 5 week window both Levi and his PT unexpectedly lost a family member. This past week the two finally had the opportunity to re-unite.
Levi didn't want to do anything except hug his PT... for the entire hour.
Each time she tried to change it up, suggest they change position, or begin working on an aspect of his therapy plan, he hugged her all the more. We are talking a purposeful-double-armed-hug.
A year ago such a hug wasn't even possible for Levi to express. He simply didn't have the ability (be it physical or neurological) to give such a hug. If you were lucky, you got a one-armed-hug.
On this day, he buried his nose, embraced his PT with both arms and expressed with his whole self “It's time for a hug.”
And so they moved through the warm water together, giving and receiving hugs, for a full hour.
On days like these I am astounded by Levi.
He reminds me that stopping to be present with the people in our lives is essential. Particularly when we have been apart for a while or experienced loss.
He teaches me that connection proceeds learning. A meaningful relationship is the foundation for meaningful learning.
He offers the perspective of the impossible becoming possible. When he was born the doctors questioned his ability to have any kind of purposeful movement. It took him years to achieve a purposeful-one-armed-hug. Today he not only gave a two-armed-hug, he also sustained the expression of his desire for an hour.
And he was listened to. His desire was allowed to take precedence over the “purpose” of our being together.
On days like these I am astounded by the people who have come into our lives because of Levi.
In this season of Valentine's day, may you do as Levi has done by making Time for A Hug with someone(s) who is meaningful to you. May you hit the “pause” button on your agenda, taking time to connect and be present with one another.
Book recommendation Time for a Hug
By Phillis Gershator and Mim Green
Illustrated by David Walker
