A Family Gathering

My brother passed away recently, and after the funeral service several family members got together. We haven't seen each other for some time, and it was good to be with each other. Though the reason for coming together was difficult, the gathering was enjoyable.

Those gathered were of all ages. They hugged, laughed, and engaging in conversations, all at the same time. There were discussions on recreation, what other family members were doing, and who was suffering from what ailment - it was really noisy - and fun. I did my best to move from one conversation to the other trying to fit into the discussion. Then the topic of hugging came up when someone (Jan) observed my hugging style. That would be my politically correct, extreme angle, avoiding eye contact, while minimizing any actual human contact hug. In this setting it drew a lot of attention - alright ridicule. Only one family member (a fellow minister) came to my rescue, citing a recent court case. The others just looked at me like - "what's wrong with you - you have a skin disease or something?" So, I am now working on a less politically correct, while attempting to stay our of court for sexual harassment, hug.

Eddy (my brother) would have enjoyed the gathering.