Hugs: The most important of all things. People need contact. I am the unofficial Legion Hugger. I am only unofficial because I’ve yet to get T-shirts made. That time is coming.

Of course, I know there are people who can’t stand hugs. I can see that people have their own definitions of intimacy, and perhaps a hug is a step too far for some. I get it, and it’s for their sake I’ll have T-shirts made. Better to warn them who I am. But from my side, one of the best things in the world is a hug.

I recently showed ‘The Children Act’ at Movie Night. Now, watch out because there will be spoilers.

 

There’s a point where Emma Thompson is encouraging Fionn Whitehead to leave, completely. She can’t have him around, she doesn’t want any communication with him, no calls, no letters, all that stuff. And as the lad is walking away, hanging his head and feeling lousy, she goes to give him a peck on the cheek. He turns his head at the last minute, and it turns into a kiss.

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It’s brief, but not blink-and-you-miss-it brief, and it’s a great moment in the film. My Movie Nighters were shocked to their roots, but it was an important scene, because the lad is alone. He has nobody. As much as the relationship is confused and complicated, everybody needs contact.

And this, I think, is the danger of going without hugs.

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I’m lucky, I live with dogs. I never have to go more than a few minutes without attention. I’m rarely allowed in the bathroom alone.

There you have it: Day 30 – Hugs.