Two Thousand and Eight Hugs to You!

A Real Bear Hug

A Touching Christmas Message

I recently recieved a message from one of my Myspace friends that touched me deeply and renewed my faith that Hugs Heal really is making a difference; far more of a difference than I could have ever expected or hoped for. Now I'd like to share this message with you.

"Just last night I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. With Christmas approaching and my not being able to provide my children; I am raising my 3 grandchildren and 1 great nephew; with the things they deserve I was feeling pretty alone. I cried myself to sleep last night and prayed for God to just send me a friend and I woke up this morning to receive a friend request from Hugs Heal and it brought tears to my eyes again, only for a much different reason. I just had to say thank you for what you do and today will be a much better day for me because of you." - Mimi

Just a Few Holiday Hugs for Everybody!

My Favorite Responses to my last the "Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge

I posted my "Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge on the Hugs Heal Myspace and so far I have recieved 16 responses. Here are my Top Five:

5. "When I hug someone I feel like everything is right with the world."

4. "When I see people hugging eachother I feel warm and happy; and frankly wishing it was a group hug."

3. "Hugs make me feel safe, warm, makes feel like I am loved and cared for. There is nothing like a hug to brighten your day and make you feel better."

4. "When I see people hugging each other I feel as if they are close, caring, in love; whatever the occasion. A hug is a closeness and says all that needs to be said in so many ways!"

5. "The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me...wonder what this world is coming to, when a hug is considered to be offensive. Considering most of the bonds we make in childhood (outside our families) is in school with our peers."

"Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge

I challenge everyone to tell the world how you feel about hugs by completing one of these sentences:

When someone hugs me I feel...
When I hug someone else I feel...
When I see people hugging eachother I feel...
When I need a hug but can't get one I feel...
The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me...

Here's a few to get the ball rolling.
When someone hugs me I feel... better, no matter how I was feeling before.
When I hug someone else I feel... wonderful, because I am healing that person's hurts.
When I see people hugging eachother I feel... pride in humankind.
When I need a hug but can't get one I feel... lonely.
The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me... angry and determined to make a difference.

How I Came Up With “Hugs Heal”

I've had some people asking me how exactly I came up with Hugs Heal and why I choose to do this, so here's the deal.

I've always enjoyed hugs and thought that they were a very important part of anyone's life, but that thought was always kind of abstract; I didn't have anything specific to attribute it to. But not long ago I was reading an article on abc.com about a study that was done showing that hugs can actually reduce the risk of heart disease. I remember thinking “Wow, hugs really do heal.” I thought that was so incredible and a such very important find. It made me think of all the times in my life that a hug has made me feel better and all times I've hugged friends and family members when I thought they needed it. I realized that hugs have a far more profound effect on our lives than most people really appreciate. So, I came up with the "Hugs Heal" idea.

So far it's just a myspace and a blog, but people have been responding so wonderfully to my message that who knows where it will go. I've been getting all sorts of ideas about making this into a real organization, but it's a bit early to consider that too seriously. For now, I just want to get my message across and touch as many lives as possible in the process.

A Hug for a Brave Soldier

"This is Donna and Kevin. He is a soldier in the Army and currently overseas. This is one of the last hugs I received from him. He is greatly missed. He will be home soon. This and other hugs are not like any other. These are the intense 'please don't go, but beacuse you have to I will hug you tight so you dont forget what it feels like in my arms' hugs' "

- Shared by Donna

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 4

This is my personal favorite of my children!

Shared by Liz from Coleman, Texas

Hugs Heal Story 4 - submitted by a friend of Hugs Heal

I currently have a soldier in Iraq, not too long ago I was crying alot. My brother and I stood in the living realizing we needed eachother. We hugged for a very long time. So long my neck hurt. That hug was needed. I hadn't cried in I dont know how long. It made me realize it's ok to break down, to lose control for that moment and there is always someone right there to hold you when you need them. This hug has helped me through the last three days. I am stronger because my brother and I fell apart together.

-Shared by Donna from Florida

A Princess Hug

"My four year old daughter and her friend were playing dress up one day and my daughter decided to give her friend a hug. Caitlyn is good at giving out hugs, she is a very loving child."

- Shannon of Colorado Creations Photography

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 4

A beautiful Father/Son moment, submitted by Gareth of the United Kindom of him and his son Joshua.

Hugs Heal Story 3 - submitted by a friend of Hugs Heal

On August 10, 2006 I had a heart attack. My husband took me to the ER and while they were running all their tests and stabilizing me, he was by my side. Two hours later, they put me in a room to wait for a heart cath operation to see where the blockage was. All of this was happening on the day before our anniversary.

The hospital did not have the staff to do the surgery the next morning, so my husband and I spent our anniversary in my hospital room. I don't remember much because I was on pain medication and all kinds of IV drips. All I know is that every time I opened my eyes, he was there.

The next day was Saturday and during the night one of my IV's had come out. As soon as I got up out of bed, it was evident which one. I was having another heart attack. I was moved to CCU where visitation was limited, so I was alone most of the time. On Monday, after one surgery to find the blockage and another to install four stents, I was moved back to ICU. Spending the whole week in solitude and pain does a lot to the mental psyche and I was getting depressed, even in my fog of morphine.

By Friday, I was able to go to a regular room and was released later that day. But that wasn't the best thing for me.The best thing that happened, the thing that gave me the warmest and most secure feeling, was the first embrace from my husband. It was filled with love, companionship, caring, and happiness. And it made my world right again.

- Linda from Arlington, Texas

Puppy/Kitty Hugs!

WwW.SparkleTags.Com

Okay, everybody say it with me : Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.......

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 3

Here is little Josh with his adorable kitty, Jack. Submitted by Claudia from Powell, Tennessee.

The Best, Worst, Most Important Moments

Have you ever noticed that most of best, worst, most important moments of your life include a hug?

I was 17 years old and the date was March 31, 2005; the day my dad died suddenly of a heart attack. An odd start to a "best hug" story, huh?

There are a lot of things about that day that I don't remember. But I do remember the moment when I finally broke down, the initial shock suddenly wore off and I started to cry, wail, and ultimately collaspe on my living room floor. And I remember my best friend, Sarah, hugging me. She threw her arms around me and when my knees hit the floor, she went down with me. She never let go.

It was certainly not a happy moment; in fact, it was the saddest moment of my life, but it was and still is the best, most important hug I can ever remember recieving.

Tell me about your best, most important hug memory.