Hug Before the Bus Leaves

The bus was already at the stop when I got there, but we waited anyway. My little cousin fidgeted, backpack half on, half off, eyes darting down the street. I knelt and hugged him anyway. Love between family often shows up in small, protective gestures, not grand declarations. Research shows that even brief affectionate touch can lower stress hormones like cortisol and release oxytocin, supporting feelings of security and trust (Uvnas-Moberg et al.).

“Ready?” I asked. His nod was hesitant, but it was enough. Motivation had to be gentle that morning. Getting out of the apartment had felt like climbing stairs in molasses. Acceptance meant letting ourselves be slow rather than pretending energy was limitless.

The walk to the bus stop was short, but it mattered. The neighborhood smelled like wet pavement after last night’s rain. Nature exposure, even in urban settings, can reduce stress and improve mood (Bratman et al.). We paused at a corner tree, letting him watch a bird hop along the fence. Unity exists in those quiet moments, when attention is shared without words.

On the bus, he held my hand for a block before letting go. Love often appears as presence rather than constant conversation. Studies on parent-child interactions indicate that simple acts of physical closeness promote emotional regulation and social trust (Feldman). He leaned back, shoulders relaxing, as the city passed outside the window.

We reached the park near our destination. I guided him slowly, letting him choose the path through the grass. Autonomy paired with gentle supervision increases confidence and engagement in children (Grolnick and Pomerantz). Freedom came in letting him decide small steps while I remained nearby.

After a while, we sat on a bench and drank water from our bottles. Hydration and breaks are important during activity, especially for kids and older adults, to prevent fatigue and maintain focus (Mayo Clinic). He sipped slowly, and I did too, matching the pace of our shared rest.

When it was finally time to head home, he hugged me again. This time, it was firmer, intentional. Love, after all, does not need words. Motivation had carried us out of the apartment. Acceptance allowed us to move at our pace. Unity had held the day together.

By the time we walked back, tired but calm, I realized the outing was successful not because of distance or activity, but because of shared presence and gentle care. Even small trips can leave lasting emotional footprints.

Works Cited (MLA)

Bratman, Gregory N., et al. “Nature Experience Reduces Rumination and Subgenual Prefrontal Cortex Activation.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 112, no. 28, 2015, pp. 8567–8572.

Feldman, Ruth. “Parent–Infant Synchrony and the Construction of Shared Timing; Physiological Precursors and Psychopathological Correlates.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1094, no. 1, 2006, pp. 131–139.

Grolnick, Wendy S., and Eva M. Pomerantz. “Issues and Challenges in Studying Parental Control.” Handbook of Parenting, vol. 2, 3rd ed., Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002, pp. 89–110.

Mayo Clinic. “Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org.

Uvnas-Moberg, Kerstin, et al. “The Oxytocin Factor: Tapping the Hormone of Calm, Love, and Healing.” HarperCollins, 2011.