In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the word of the day is a Spanish from dictionary.com…Abrazo! Dictionary.com defines abrazo as “an embrace used in greeting someone. Spanish abrazo and Italian abbraccio, both meaning “a hug, an embrace” come from the Latin prefix (and preposition) ad- “to, at, near” and Spanish brazo and Italian braccio “arm” both come from Latin brachium. Abrazo entered English in the 17th century.”

Sadly, though abrazo was added to the English vocabulary, you’ll not get any points in Words With Friends or the English versions of Scrabble. It’s not recognized as a word. Sorry to rock your tile tray, my wordie friends. 😟

Still there is something to be said for the concept of the abrazo. Modern society is quite averse to physical contact between acquaintances or strangers. Egads! Don’t invade anyone’s personal space without being invited or asking permission, or you might find yourself the defendant in a nasty lawsuit.

This makes socializing a bit awkward for a hugger like me. Though I don’t typically ask permission, per se. I simply declare that I am a hugger upon meeting someone and take my cue based on their expression as to whether I proceed. A smile means “go”. “Deer in the headlights” or a step backwards is a definite “No”. The “no’s” will generally reach for a handshake. But the smiles? I love it when I find another hugger.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “She hugs on the first meet?” I do. I wish we all did more hugging. There is nothing like a genuine abrazo to lift one’s spirits and connect one human to another. Might even change the world if we weren’t afraid to hug. Just sayin’.

May your life be filled with peace, love and lots of abrazos! Here’s this week’s Haiku.

embrace with your heart
give abrazos, full-frontal,
side hugs are for stiffs

kat