Today I learned one of the saddest things I've heard in a long time. I really felt like crying but I couldn't. For someone who wears their emotions on their sleeve, it was difficult.
My friend and I visited a girl about our age. She has five foster children all under the age of six; the youngest is 2 months. The three year old cannot talk. She was just talking to us about their new house and showing us their rooms and all that fun girl stuff. That little boy came up to me and hugged me so tightly. I was so surprised.
I mean, kids do this a lot, especially at church. But I know them. Sometimes a newer kid will see me carrying on with the other kids and just love me like they do with their eagerness. I don't get too surprised -- beyond the gratitude for God's serendipitous moments like that.
I patted his back and said, "ahhhh!" She tapped his head and said, "no hugs."
He let go.
My friend and I looked at her. We didn't know why. She mouthed that because he was sexually abused he isn't allowed to hug anyone. He can't hug or kiss if he's going to heal.
She has a really hard time with it to. I realize if he's going to disassociate innocent love from what he's experienced I suppose there would have to be a separation of some sort in his mind. I'm just incredibly saddened that a little boy cannot be hugged. And I weep for the evil that caused him such grief at three.
His life has been sad. But with this woman in his life, he truly has an opportunity to flourish and be blessed as well as bless others.