Last weekend, there was a lot of hugging, with people I'd never met before. I was told I was a great hugger, and apparently got myself quite a reputation for it. Quite an ego boost, I'll tell you!

But ego boost aside, what is it, really, that makes a hug great? Is it really about one hugger being really good at it? Is it technique? To tell the truth, I strongly doubt that; a great hug isn't great unless all included participate in the hug, equally. It's not so much about someone being good at it as it is about all involved finding a common ground and daring, to whatever level works. I dare say it's about communication, beyond spoken language, direct body to body, soul to soul if you will.

I'd say I wasn't a great hugger alone, but we were. Everyone of us who participated in them.