Earlier this month, I had a disheartening message that a walking buddy and dear friend, Pat D., had been put in hospice. The last that we had texted, she was coming back from visiting her son and his family in North Carolina the first week of September.
It was a huge shock and sent me reeling. When I was walking our usual route, I prayed and sent her love. It reminded me how she laughed at my insistence to hug after our walks because everyone needs 5 hugs a day. It helped me conjure up the image of giving her a big hug and helped me smile. Now, unfortunately, I would not get the chance to say goodbye or give her one last hug.
Because some of our peeps are not close to physically give them a squeeze, here is an idea that I have embraced.
Try this: Send a Hug and a Smile
If you need to connect with someone who needs a lift or a little love, use your imagination to send a hug. Consider how easy it is:
- First, picture your family member or friend as you like to remember them. One tip is to get an image of the person smiling at you, arms open.
- Next, gather the person into a big hug and add lots of love from your heart. If it helps you to imagine it, wrap your arms around yourself or a pillow and squeeze. Enjoy the feeling of your huge virtual hug.
- Finally, the last element is to smile as you enjoy the moment with your loved one or friend.
Is this the simplest, almost silliest, way to connect with someone who you can’t hug in person? Yet, using this exercise means you’re sending out amazing loving energy to the person and gaining some yourself as well!
So go ahead and send me a hug!