Free Hugs
THIS WAS THE COOLEST OF ALL COOL!!! EXPERIENCING THIS DAY WITH EVERYONE INVOLVED…manuri-thanks for the candy and the extra sign, sonali-thanks for being you, sipun-thanks for the water, gianna-thanks for the extra sign too, chistine- thanks for the t-shirts, AWESOME!!, kim- thank you for letting me use your awesome sign and it was so so nice to meet you and have you as a part of this day!
As I stood on the sidwalk at the beach, directing my sign at the cars driving in our direction, it was AWESOME TO SEE the expressions on peoples faces in the cars. most were curious reading the sign-“FREE HUGS”, then you could see this “getting look” on their faces and grinning from ear to ear, some honking their car horns, some giving “AIR HUGS in the car, some even parked their cars and came back to give a hug!! IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!
There were those few who were shy or crumpy or just did not know what to make of it, but once we allowed them to let their guard down, most were very receptive to giving and getting HUGGED!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A GLORIOUS DAY WITH WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND TO EXPERIENCE MORE LOVE IN THE WORLD.
we were so blessed to have had such a BEAUTIFUL, PRESTINE PLACE TO BE FOR THE DAY-Laguna Beach, Califorina… The weather was in TRUE FORM OF THE WEST COAST!!!!
NAMASTE TO YOU ALL!
ANN
The world is a better place because of all of you…………
Share the love, share the hugs…………..Love,
you bunch of Do-Gooders!
Keep Up the Good Work!
“HUGS” What a great gift to give to the world, and now my heart reaches out to the “Elderly” who are emotionally and physically neglected. The forgotten ones who are unable to reach out.
See Me
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you look at me —
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice — “I do wish you’d try.”
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you’re looking at ME…
I’ll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet;
A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn;
At fifty once more babies play ’round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known;
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel —
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where once I had a heart,
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years, all too few — gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last —
So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses — see ME!
This poem was found among the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the geriatric ward of a hospital. No information is available concerning her — who she was or when she died. Reprinted from the “Assessment and Alternatives Help Guide” prepared by the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care.
I embrace the soul of this woman and all those who passed on without the affection of humanity.
Embrace life with big hugs!! Love, Criselda