Hugging the enemy
By Loverbear
@Loverbear (4918)
United States
April 21, 2013 12:28pm CST
I had an interesting night last night. Bill and I were invited to dinner last night. It was a large dinner party, with 18 people dining with one of my favorite neighbors (I also take care of their yard when they're gone). Among the guests was a couple that I have had problems with through the years. I don't associate with them because I just don't want to invite more problems with them, and I also am very picky who I am friends with and also who I "break bread" with. Last night I didn't have any options.
We all were on our best behavior, and the evening went smoothly. The lady (I will call her Sassy) who has been a thorn in my side and very nasty to me and didn't hesitate to complain in vivid four letter in her phone calls, was four sheets to the wind when she arrived and was sucking down wine like a vacuum cleaner. I was braced for trouble because she could erupt at the drop of a hat. The evening went smoothly, although the hostess and I were braced for problems because Sassy was a trouble maker. The hostess apologized to me about the couple coming because their son had invited them without her knowledge and she couldn't un-invite them. The evening progressed without incident and we all were getting ready to leave when Sassy suddenly approached me and threw her arms around me and gave me a huge hug! I about fainted from the surprise. I was talking to another of the neighbors and was about ready to head for the door when suddenly Sassy appeared from out of nowhere and again threw her arms around me and gave me a HUGE hug and apologized for being such a snot previously!!! I was rendered totally speechless for a change.
This morning I woke up reflecting on the events of last night and thought about how wonderful it could be if we could put aside our differences and find it in our hearts to "hug the enemy". How many wars could be prevented? How many lives could be saved? How much could be achieved if we were able to band together and work for the same good?
I may never be really close friends with Sassy, but last night was a great step towards peace in my world.
10 people like this
26 responses
@GardenGerty (160936)
• United States
21 Apr 13
It was great that everyone was on their best behavior. Like every one else, I would believe Sassy is penitent when I see it. On the other hand, maybe you all should keep her drunk, she sounds much nicer that way.
3 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
21 Apr 13
Be careful! Sassy was drunk, so I seriously doubt she'll even remember anything or much of the night before. However, the saying goes that drunk people talk truths. If that's true, I'd still be very Leary of her and wonder what she's got up here sleeve now. Some do want to make things right but there are some who are hell bent on revenge so take her hugs with a handful of salt tip you get proof of her real actions. Its better to be safe than to be sorry.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
21 Apr 13
I am so happy that your night out went so well! It seems that anytime I was around this particular person before, she'd pretend to be all sweet to my face, but once I turned my back, she was there and spreading poison. Of course, I couldn't ask our mutual friends to make a choice between us, so I just moved out of that circle. I don't need 40-somethings acting like its middle or high school still in my daily life!
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 Apr 13
That is wonderful, though like you said, you probably would not become close friends, but to put away differences and have a good time is a good thing. I am glad it turned out for you, maybe in the future, your encounters with her won't be so "four lettered" 
2 people like this
@cttolledo (5454)
• Legaspi, Philippines
22 Apr 13
WOw That's wonderful evening.. admission of mistakes or saying a sorry is something , it's a simple word that is very hard to say...I hope everyone of us has the attitude like sassy.. If everyone are like that there will be peace on earth.. LOL..
2 people like this
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
21 Apr 13
i'm glad you were able to hug and make up. harboring ill feelings isn't easy on us, especially if the object is a neighbor and we see her always. you're right, you may never become friends but you will be civil to each other from now on. i also admire this former enemy of yours. she realised her msitakes and didn't hesitate to apologize and make amends.
indeed the world will be a better place if people would take time to sit and talk about their differences. unfortunately, we see leaders hug and shake hands during diplomatic encounters whilst planning to stab each other when they part ways.
3 people like this
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
22 Apr 13
that's good that you two were able to find some common ground. you are right. if the rest of the world worked like that we would be much better off.
1 person likes this
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Lol our enemy can sometimes surprise us . I know these people that keep watching me , very creepy couple . I sometime think they just want to talk to me but being the kinda person I am its not like they can just approach me . I am always on the go , I am completely in a different bracket to them but maybe one day we will actually exchange words and I will be surprise but until then lol 
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Apr 13
I am wondering if it was because she was drunk that she did this or if she was genuinly interested in being friends again? From my mega heart surgery last year, I now deliberately avoid former toxic people as they stress me out. I don't wish them any harm or anything but just don't want to be around them. It must have been so stressful for your hostess to have enjoyed herself. Sorry, if I sound cynical and I do hope that the peace in your world will increase
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
22 Apr 13
How nicely written. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to hug the enemy and let there be peace instead of war both in our personal world and the world altogether. I just wonder which I'm sure you did too if it wasn't the drinking that made her hug you. If she had not been drinking I wonder how the evening would have turned out. If she would have been that nice to have hugged you and apologized.1 person likes this
@kukueye (1759)
• Malaysia
22 Apr 13
I guess hugging the enemy is the first few steps of the many steps to come. Many enemies hug each other but drew blood the next , hugging is nothing because betray comes the from the closer. The more closer u r the more deep is the stab. Yes indeed some enemies are so deep in hatred that they cannot even be in the same room. It need one to forgive and make amends to the other. But it is rare. It it happen it is for show only.
1 person likes this
@BannedHelsing (693)
• Philippines
22 Apr 13
I really wish it was that simple. Then there would be no North or south korea, just Korea. But, we have to face the truth, it is still a long way before it happens.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
22 Apr 13
She may have just been drunk and she'll be a snot again. 
. No, really, it's great to at least be civil and treat everyone with respect. I think hugging the enemy is a great thing to do. Make peace.
. No, really, it's great to at least be civil and treat everyone with respect. I think hugging the enemy is a great thing to do. Make peace. 1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
1 May 13
Hello Lover bear,
It was really nice that she reacted so kindly with booze and those were her feelings- it showed that underneath the trouble maker face there is a sensitive woman wanting some affection. Maybe she had a though childhood or something, who can know for sure, right ?
All the best from me,
Alex.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
21 Apr 13
Hello LB.,
To say the least I would be floored if she had done that to me really surprised. I would try to be more friendly with her but at the same time keeping a sort of distance for the just in case.
I have had more than one "friend" like that they seem to have changed then they sort of went back again.
So the last time I got myself away from them altogether and that way I did not have to go through it all again.
However you don´t have to do that but I would be just a teeny bit cautious its always better like that.
How much peace there could be in the World how right you are good luck with your friend hope it all works out for both of you.xxx
1 person likes this
@blackrusty (3519)
• Mexico
21 Apr 13
some times this can not be helped and all we can do is make the best of it and try to avoid trouble while in the same area as them however the hug may just be nothing more then showing respect while in the host home dont raise the flag just yet and think it is all over
1 person likes this
@sun123 (2)
• China
23 Apr 13
After reading your article,I feel very inspirational,it give me a positive and open-minded attitude towards the life.No one is perfect,including myself,so If I learn to accommodate people around us and be kind to others,it would also create a pleasant living environment for us.
@RAJASB (109)
• India
25 Apr 13
No two people are friends or enemies all of a sudden. It's the bonding and rapport that makes you friends and betrayal, deceit and hatred that turn you into enemies. It's great to hug your enemy that needs a high-level thinking and great character. Just think if the same enemy was best friend of your's at one point of time, think of the good things done by him/her and your hatred towards him/her might vanish. Developing enemity depends on person to person, it's again a personal choice.
