A "mummy hug"

My mom, Judy, would have been 85 today (December 19, 1940 - March 15, 2023).

 

Mom in 2017, I think. The ubiquitous cigarette and large glass of white wine!

 

When she'd had a bad day, she'd call me (she lived in Halifax) and say she needed a "Kimmy hug." She'd do the same with her friends and step-daughter as well, call and say she needed a [insert name] hug.

 

I have often wished for a "mummy hug" since she passed, even if only via phone, especially on more challenging/frustrating days.

 

An old film pic, scanned, probably from the late '80s or early '90s.

 

Last night I dreamed she and I were heading into the old Sears store that used to be in what was then the West End Shopping Centre in Halifax, when I lived and worked there. I was following behind (this is the dream, of course) and in typical Judy fashion, she was making a beeline for whatever she wanted. Mom never liked to putter around, she was always zip, zip, zip, get 'er done.

 

When she reached the jewellery department, she stopped to chat with a clerk she knew and then for some reason turned and enveloped me in a fierce hug, saying over and over, "Love you, love you, love you...." and kissing me on the cheek. I woke up after that, with such a lovely feeling of warmth.

 

I don't think it was her spirit visiting me last night, as I've had a couple of crystal clear dreams before that I do believe were her in spirit. I rather think this was my brain, giving me a bit of comfort during what I find is a difficult time of year. (All the major losses in my life were November through March.)

 

But whatever it was, I welcomed that "mummy hug," if only in my dreams.