A hug tells a lot about a person

Some say you can judge the strength of a man by his handshake. I say you can judge the size of a man's heart by his hugs.

I come from a long line of huggers. I can't remember a time when I wasn't getting a hug from my family. The bigger the hugs the better.

It says a lot about you if the thought of giving or receiving a hug makes you squeamish.

Call me crazy -- but, the size or absence of such a seemingly small gesture of love says a lot. A hug is a reflection of the size of one's spirit. It's a looking glass into the soul.

I like to give a big squeeze and I like for it to be returned with a gesture equal or greater to its size.

But, I also like to give a hug as an element of surprise. You may not see it coming, but I do. I'm in control of the hug I'm about to give you. Here I come, arms wide open, about to envelope you with some love.

If you pull back, I know a lot about you. If you lightly tap me on the back, I know something too. If I have to tell you that your hug is weak, then you might want to rethink.

A handshake has nothing on a hug. A hug is the true way to gauge the strength or weakness of all human kind.

And of course, if you avoid giving or receiving any type of hug, be it the bear squeeze, tap on the back, or weeny shoulder pat, then I can only say that this absence speaks volumes about you.

Truthfully speaking, the best hugs I ever got were from my Uncle Mike. Now, there's a man who wasn't afraid of giving a hug. He grabbed you up and squeezed you tight. And each of his hugs were like a surprise -- and if you didn't know him, I'll tell you why ... Rough and tough on the outside, spirit of the warrior within along with a heart of gold beating to the rhythm of a deep love for family and friends.

His hugs were a reflection of the size of his heart. And it was big.

I'm so thankful for each and every squeeze this man gave me. He has surprised me with bear hugs inside the aisles of Walmart and he has grabbed me with a tight squeeze on my wedding day. No matter where we were -- be it at the public park, or at his house on "Ozzy Night," and even during Football Friday at Old 59 -- Uncle Mike and I always shared a big squeeze straight from the heart.

Mike Wilson was given to this earth on May 29, 1952 and was taken from the material world on Jan. 31, 2011.

As the sun will set on this day, I have full conviction that his spirit is living larger than his hugs ever were. And that's mighty big, if you ask me.

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.