This year reminded us how much we miss HUGS from those we love when we can't see them. We tried to share a small reminder of those HUGS with those that are waiting until the next life to see their loved ones again.
This year has been rough for so many people for so many reasons with this crazy virus running the world a bit. One of those reasons is the time that has been missed with loved ones. As a family, we talked about what was one of the hardest things about quarantine rules and it was unanimous that we missed HUGS! We missed being with loved ones outside of our immediate families, giving them hugs, and spending time with them - feeling their warmth and love!
As we thought about the service we wanted to do specifically for this gift this year, thoughts ran through our conversations and minds of extravagant Christmas gifts we could provide, money we could donate, etc. but nothing felt just right. Through the time leading up to Christmas, we have watched nearly ever version of The Grinch (even the new musical play that came out!) - the girls love it! A big quote from it stuck out to us as we thought of this Christmas season and the tough year it has been for so many:
That's when we talked about how much those HUGS have been missed this year! The girls have taught us about this love and the importance of people. They've occasionally mentioned missing going to places, but often it was asking when we could see people, hug people, and love on people! We then talked about how hard that must be for people who's loved ones they so long to HUG have already passed on to the other side. The girls often mention that they wish they could get a hug from Gigi or Christine - the two closest to them that they have experienced losing in their short lives.
So, for this Christmas we decided to try and send a little bit of warmth as a HUG to those that have lost loved ones and put together some "Hugs from Heaven" envelopes to send to those that have lost loved ones this year.
It's hard to know if this will touch the heart of those we sent them too, but we hope that the Spirit will follow those little envelopes to testify of the reality of life after death and forever families. The people we sent these to lost spouses, children, grandparents, parents, and uncles - how hard to miss those HUGS and have to wait a lifetime, instead of just a few months, to embrace them again. Below are just a few of the faces that were included in our recipient list. We are SO grateful for the hugs we receive in this life and every second that our Heavenly Father blesses us with being able to continue to give and receive them. We are also so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness and that even if we are separated from loved ones in this life, that we will feel those HUGS once again and, while we wait, feel the soft reminders of their love and the ever comforting feeling of the Spirit to remind us of our Heavenly Father's infinite love!
Mom/Lori/Grammie and Dad/Darwin/Granddad: we love you both and your hugs during the times of separation are some we miss the most!
