Lenny,

I see my low-post count as an advantage, not an obstacle. It gives me a fresh perspective of this forum that seasoned members may not be able to tap in to.

In most cases, a superficial hug is better than a bruise, but I didn't suggest we go around bruising people. In fact, I said quite the opposite, that sometimes you need to withhold hugs and whatnot in order to TRULY support and make progress. That especially the case for a thread like this, where the subject of the thread is obviously uncomfortable dealing with the prospect that she may be uncared for. The hugs are, imho, exactly what she is seeking to mute her fears rather than confront them and accept them and moving on. By giving her what she's looking for, we're only enabling her dependency on affection, and reinforcing her habit of avoidance and distraction.

So, I ask you, is it a hug, or a bruise in disguise?