How the #HUGMISSION was Born
/On Monday, December 21st, the morning that I was going to be released from the hospital, I woke up with a clear mission running around my recently traumatized brain. My best friend Shannon, who had stayed with me that night in my room looked over at me and said, “What’s Up?”
I said, “I have a mission.”
Shannon, “What’s that?”
Me, “I need hugs to fight cancer and I need to start now.” Perhaps it was the little snowman Olaf who likes warm hugs talking to me from Frozen, my 2 ½ year old daughter’s new favorite movie, or perhaps it’s just because I like hugs, the message was loud and clear. Not just do I want a hug, I NEED a hug, and probably a lot of them.
So I sat up in bed and I pushed the nurses button, feeling overwhelmingly compelled to get started immediately. The first one to arrive was my nurse Paul. I said, “Paul, I’m on a mission to fight my brain cancer and I’m collecting hugs, “Would you be willing to give me hug?” Not that the poor guy really had a choice in the matter, but he seemed happy enough to oblige and so began my mission.
From there, I sought out my other nurse Jeff, received a heartfelt hug, put on my newly purchased Superman shirt that my rock star mom had bought me the previous day at Walmart and began to peruse the hospital halls sneaking up on unsuspecting passersby and making the same pledge.” I’m on a mission to fight brain cancer and I’m collecting hugs.”
Although I did get a few people turn me down who likely thought me crazy (I mean I did still have a bloody scar and gauze on my partially shaved head) the majority of the people were more than happy to assist in my quest, and even offered me beautiful prayers and comforting words like, “I’m a cancer survivor. You can do this.” Amazing. And so very simple. All I can say, is that my healing got off to a great start that day. There is so much tender and pure energy in hugs and I’m beginning to see that it is going to be a great part of my journey to recovery. It doesn’t cost anything and it provides a profound and instant heart to heart connection with another human being.
So I’ve decided that I want to begin a Hug Campaign as part of my Krista’s Cure mission and journey toward total healing. And I cannot begin soon enough.
To track the hugs, we have developed a number of ways where you can log your daily hugging progress, upload pictures, comments, photos, videos. We want you to share your experiences! Don’t limit yourself! Hug as many people in your day to day operations as you can. Sure. Start with your friends, family, coworkers, pets. I mean as far as I’m concerned every day should start off with a good hug anyway. But I’m challenging you to branch out and hug those around you that might not be on your normal list. Seek out your neighbors. Hug the post office clerk. Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Hug your boss. Your dentist. Your waiter. Your kids school teacher. Yes, some of these might seem awkward at first. I get it. Not everyone is a hugger. But things like this are always easier if you have a scapegoat, and for now, that scape goat is me. I am your excuse. I am the one in need of healing and you are doing this for me. You are doing this at my request. And since I’m the one with brain cancer I kind of feel like I have carte blanche here. I’m not afraid to ask for help. I’m fighting for my life. Everyday people are contacting me wanting to know how they can help. This is how you can help me. It makes me smile just thinking about the intense amount of energy that can be generated from this. It makes my heart happy. It makes my brain happy. I can already feel the cancer shrieking in fear at all the love that is about to flood those neuropathways. It doesn’t stand a chance.
Apparently cancer feeds on sugar (which unfortunately I like a lot) so I’m treating that like poison at the moment and have eliminated it from my diet all together. I’ve also been told that cancer feeds on fear and hate so this campaign is designed to bring together a lot of beautiful and loving energy that simply connects two souls. As far as I’m concerned, the cancer is already gone. Bye bye. Thanks for stopping by but it’s time to go.