Dear Reader.

An earlier incident Wednesday morning touched me so much that when this National Hug Day popped up on my screen … I felt compelled to share this with you.

One of my new friends at The Palms is a staff member who works with patients creating new ways to keep patients ” up and ” at’em.”

For example when she stopped by yesterday morning she asked if I was up to a walk in the courtyard … she would help me take the plants that had to be brought in … back out and move some other items in my courtyard space… and, in addition, take down Ann’s hall decor from her birthday.

Before we left on our creative ” energy booster ” activities, she confessed that she had gotten some bad news… she had been diagnosed with cancer a few years back but was pronounced cancer-free after her initial treatments.

Recently though she started experiencing the same initial discomforts and so they ran more tests and Tuesday she received the news the cancer had returned. I told her I was shocked she came to work and she said, mentally… she was better off here.

We hugged and as we were walking past the kitchen table she pointed and asked if I had Valentines cookies out… ” No.. these are ” wooden heart hugs” on occasion when you really need one. ”

It wasn’t until later that it dawned on me that is anyone ever needed a hug it was her.

So I got a card and wrote her… attaching her ” Hug” to it.

I think everyday should be Hug Day… because the touch and feeling of another human empowering us has been proven in medical, scientific, and clinical studies to improve our whole being…our ” spoonful of sugar.”

I will end with some cute pictures I found in connection with hugs.

And look at my courtyard after we worked together adding items to my patio… come on spring!!!