I wore a shirt today that has a rainbow on it and says “Free Mom Hugs.” I wear it weekly. It is a favorite of mine because it is green (my favorite color). It also fits nicely because I bought it during Covid so it fits my Covid acquired fluffiness.

More than that, I wear it because I know people from my youth who lived in a small town with little diversity of any kind. It was a great place to grow up as long as you were white straight and Lutheran. And I know teenagers now who are figuring out who they are, who they will be, who they love.

I shopped for groceries this morning and the teenaged check out girl told me she liked my shirt. I said thanks. I wore it to the gas station this afternoon and the young cashier asked if I had been to a Pride event today or was just wearing it. I told him today I was just wearing it but I did get to wear it to Pride this year and there were lots of hugs. He said that was cool

I thought of young people when I bought this shirt. When I wore it to Pride lots of young people asked me for hugs which I gladly delivered. Many of them told me they were still coming out to their parents or were early in their journey. I hugged them and told them they were awesome and so loved.

The one that got me though was the lady about 10 years older than me. We were waiting for our friends by the water misters and we chatted about the heat. She mentioned my shirt, and I asked if she needed a hug. She said yeah. I said come on in and we hugged tightly. She said her Mom had died still thinking she was going through a phase. I told her she was so loved and I was glad she was there that day. It choked me up to think this awesome lady was still wishing for approval she could never get.

If wearing this shirt can make someone feel seen and safe, why not? Don’t we all deserve those things?

The universality of wanting to be seen and recognized is so basic. It’s the nod you give a Mom or Dad dealing with a crying baby in the store. The person who picks up your groceries after you drop a bag. The stranger you just met who listens to your story because you have to tell someone before you come apart.

These people have shown up in my life. After back surgery number two it was the lady who would tie my shoes for me in the locker room. She didn’t know me at all. Just saw that I needed help.

I hope if your week goes well, you find an opportunity to be that person for someone. Or if life turns you upside down, someone shows up for you. And if you see me in my shirt, and need a hug, step on up. I’m a great hugger and I have an endless supply.