4 HUGS, 2 children, 2 adults (1 husband, 1 neighborhood friend)

Yes, I have been deep in thought lately (if you couldn’t tell by the posts these past few days). Today’s thoughts have been about all the other kind gestures that can be done to make others feel good. Not just hugs. A few things have brought this to the forefront of my mind.

1. A homeless man recently included on his sign, “a smile is all that is needed.” A few days later I watched a different homeless man waving and smiling at the cars stopped at a red light. I watched as every single car avoided looking his way. Would a smile have given him food to eat or a place to stay? No, but perhaps it could have given him hope and joy. As the first man’s sign stated, that may be all that was needed.

2. I reached out to a girlfriend today. I don’t call her often and when I do it is typically for something that I need from her. I wanted her to know that she means more than that to me. A short while into our conversation there was a small pause and I could sense her waiting for me to get to the real reason I was calling so I told her. “I just wanted to call to ask how things are going.” I could hear the surprise and what sounded like happiness in her voice when she responded, “Oh.” My call about nothing was my way of hugging her through the phone.

3. The final thing was how much love I feel for my readers. Some of whom I don’t personally know, yet feel as though I HAVE personally hugged them. Sometimes they ask for virtual hugs, other times they just reach out to talk. Each time I wish that I was close enough to touch them, but I know that my virtual hugs are doing the exact same thing I set out to do with my personal hugs, bring joy and love.

Please accept this blog as my virtual hug to you.