Two Minutes Du Jour

Most days are ordinary. We go about our lives, sipping a caffeinated beverage, tackling our to-do lists, making dinner plans. And then there are the days that are anything but ordinary — the ones that change everything in seconds.

This has been on of those years and three days stand out for me giving pause to ask, “Now what?”.

Back in March, my sons were home on a Saturday afternoon. My husband was in the garage, and the boys and I were upstairs in my office when we felt — and heard — a deep, terrifying rumble. One of my sons was looking out the window, saw a small plane, and instinctively said, “That plane is going to crash.” And then, it did. One block over. Just one block over, a plane went down, igniting a neighbor’s house. Neighbors ran to help. First responders arrived quickly. The couple inside survived, but their lives were forever changed. The pilot, flying solo, did not survive.

A few months later, a colleague texted me on a quiet Saturday morning: “Have you seen the news?” I hadn’t. But within minutes, I learned that two local legislators had been shot, and our community was told to shelter in place. Again, the shock of tragedy unfolding just down the road.

And then last week, as if the message hadn’t been driven home, came the news of a school shooting on the very first day of school. Another reminder that life can change in an instant.

So what do you do with that? It’s taken me a while to think about how to write about this. My answer? You hug them. Your family. Your friends. Your people. Your neighbors. Even strangers, if they consent. A hug says, “I am here with you and for you,” even when you don’t know what else to say or do.

This past weekend, my youngest son hosted his college friends for Labor Day. Because he went to school 12 hours away during the pandemic years, we didn’t get to know his friends as well as we might have. So, it was extra special having them here — laughing, eating brunch, exploring the State Fair, visting Mall of America, and just enjoying the Twin Cities. And yes, I hugged every one of them when they arrived and again when they headed out to explore.

Life changes quickly and unexpectedly. Hug your peeps while you can. Hug them every chance you get.

Two Links Du Jour:

A Hug Only Takes 10 Seconds But the Benefits Last Forever – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois

Coping with Traumatic Events – National Institute of Mental Health