Free hugs, high fives and fist bumps DC 9 21 09

I originally was inspired by the video that my uncle Lorenzo sent to me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1xnVDiV9xE) and I thought to myself "why not?". It wasn't until later that I realized that September 21st was "Peace day". I must say that I was nervous until the moment I lifted the sign at the Smithsonian metro station. Then I just walked slowly, looking people in the eye and gently nodding when they passed by. Some would avoid eye contact and continue on their way, and two people looked "disgusted" but the overwhelming majority of people smiled when we made eye contact and many of them received/gave a hug, a high five or a fist bump. By far the most powerful moment was when a women walked towards me as I walked towards her and said "I need a hug. My husband died last year and I miss him." To be there for her, a random stranger who is silently suffering as she walks through thousands of other people, was a very powerful moment. I'll never see her again but for a few seconds we connected and reminded ourselves that we are not alone in this journey.

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Travel & Events

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• Abrazos

[jelly0689]

Andres!! Get those hugs! This is Brad Mess! Hope all is well

[chestnutkl]

Great, thanks for being there! Did you find you had more responses when you were not seen as alone, but had company?