All these people that come from non-hugging families, I didn't realise that families hugging was so unusual. I grew up in a family of confirmed huggers. To me, a hug is an expression of affection and fellowship. Intelectually I can understand how for someone that confuses a simple hug with sex the idea of hugging their parents or children must seem repulsive, but emotionally it must be very lonely. BTW Liz - you have my number, anytime you need a hug call me. Jude