People are starting to hug again.

Up until two weeks ago when I hugged a friend I had not seen for several years, I had not hugged or been hugged since my husband’s funeral almost a year and a half ago.

I did not grow up in a family of huggers. Maybe the reason was cultural, or maybe it was emotional deprivation, but positive physical contact was lacking during my childhood.

When I was a kid, seeing friends hugging their siblings or relatives seemed strange to me, although I envied their closeness.

My initiation into the hugging ritual began with dating, so my idea of hugs was linked to romantic overtures. It was only in adulthood that I began to notice the many other messages hugs can convey.

A lot of the friends I acquired over the decades apparently grew up hugging, so such expressions were natural to them.

At first uncomfortable, I grew more receptive to positive touch and warm hugs as I found myself in the midst of hugging junkies.

Was hugging becoming an epidemic?

Although I still rarely initiated a hug, as I aged, I no longer subconsciously cringed when someone I knew hugged me.

Then I began to focus on the universal language of hugs, which often is a substitute for words.

Some hugs convey a message of welcome. We might be greeted with a “welcome” hug when visiting a church or the home of a friend or family member.

Hugs can express happiness and joy. We hug the bride and groom when we celebrate their wedding. We hug recent graduates or a friend who wins a competition or a special award.

A hug can tell folks we share their sadness. It allows us to show our support when the right words are hard to find. Thus, we often hug mourners at a funeral or friends who divorce or lose their jobs.

Hugs can convey safety and security. We can help others, including youngsters and the frail elderly, feel protected and safe in our arms. Healing can be imparted through a hug.

Research has shown that touch is a powerful “medicine” for those suffering from disease or illness.

We can receive or give vitality from a therapeutic embrace.

Our hugs can voice appreciation for some kindness bestowed upon us. Recently, I spontaneously hugged a friend who showed up with a beautiful little scale model antique truck as a surprise gift for no special reason.

A hug can convey strength. Touching and hugging are energizing, both for the hugger and the person being hugged.

Hugs can be used to reduce stress, express understanding or forgiveness and open up communication channels.

Some people may be averse to hugs and embarrassed to show feelings in public, so it is important to ask before hugging anyone, if we are not sure. We do not want our hugs to cause someone discomfort or distress.

Sometimes, we can express our support and caring through other sensitive, nonverbal forms of touch, such as gently holding a hand or patting someone lightly on the shoulder or back or touching the person’s arm.

Above all, we need to be mindful and respectful of others’ needs and feelings.

For the most part, hugging is a wonderful way to communicate the messages deep in our hearts, sentiments that often cannot be translated into words without difficulty. Hugging is a nonverbal language - one that can be understood by anyone, anywhere in the world.

And as I learned, it is never too late to learn a new language.