‘A Time to Embrace’

I had not heard of the “hug lady” until this past Saturday, January 2, 2016. Because of the political nature of most stories, I usually avoid the national news shows as much as possible. However, that day I happened to be watching the last segment. The news was that the hug lady had died (http://www.nbcnews.com/nlghtly-news/video/fort-hood-s–hug-Iady– elizabeth-laird-dies-at-83-594879043885). Her name was Elizabeth Laird and her unique relationship with the service men and women of Fort Hood began in in 2003. It started rather simply. After one young man hugged her, another wanted do so, and then another, and so on. It was estimated at her death that she had given over 500,000 hugs. She wanted each soldier to feel loved and appreciated, so she made her way to the base to greet groups, whether large or small. For much of the time, she was in the midst of her own battle with…