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Love Over All

The Safest Way to Give a Hug

by Anna E. Rendell  •   Apr 24, 2020  •   61 Comments  •  
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In the depths of our garage, there’s a huge Rubbermaid tub hidden on a bottom shelf. It’s dusty, as are most of the contents of our garage, and blends in to the surrounding items with nonchalance.

But lift the scuffed lid, and inside you’ll see a treasure trove.

It’s full of cards. This giant tub is full of cards that span my 37+ years of receiving them. There are cards from my birth, baptism day, first Christmas and first birthday. There are cards from every single birthday I’ve ever had. Many cards from various holidays throughout the years. Dozens of “thinking of you” check-in cards from friends and relatives. Cards I was sent in elementary school, cards from middle school recitals and plays, cards from high school performances and awards, and cards from earning college accolades.

There are cards from graduations and congratulations on new jobs. There are sympathy cards from the death of my beloved grandma and grandpa, from my two miscarriages, from the recent death of our family dog. There are cards we received for our wedding from family members now in heaven, friends estranged. There are cards whose envelopes are covered in stickers, a hallmark of my dad (he buys stickers in bulk and still sends me, and now my kids, sticker-emblazoned envelopes!). There are cards from four decades, every age and stage of my life represented in that blue tub.

I can’t bear to part with them.

The handwriting snaps me back to decades ago, to laughing with my grandma and walking down the aisle and performing on stage. The words bring up sweet and sad memories, holiday traditions that we still enjoy and others that have gone by the wayside. The senders are some of my favorite people. Even the stamps and postmarks tell a tale.

And in every single one of these saved cards, there’s a hug.

We could all use a hug right about now, am I right? Personally, I’ve been self-isolating with my family of five for six weeks, so that’s how long it’s been since I’ve hugged anyone outside of them. We’ve visited my mom on her porch and through her window, to keep her and us safe, but every time we’re there I have to truly hold myself back from hugging her. Friends drove by our house for my daughter’s sixth birthday this week, and again, I had to steady myself in my chair not to run down the driveway and climb into their passenger window for a big hug. Even strangers out walking their dogs tempt my hugginess!

Right now, it may not be safe to hug your loved ones, and we know how difficult that is. But there’s one way we can safely give a hug. Pick up a pen, a stamp, a card, and an envelope — maybe some stickers, and pop that card (hug enclosed) in the mail.

One of our favorite ways to show we care, especially during this difficult season, is through sharing God’s #LoveWithCards. We want to encourage as many people as possible right now. And that’s why for every card you send, DaySpring is donating a card! Seriously! Whether they are cards you already have on hand, ones you’ve created yourself, or those you ordered from DaySpring, we hope you’re encouraging someone in this season with a card — and a safe hug. Just head here and tell us how many cards you’ve sent, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Giveaway:

To help you safely send a hug, we’ve got a beautiful set of cards to give away to one of YOU! This Studio 71 premium boxed card set includes ten cards of assorted designs and a gorgeous rose gold pen. To enter to win, just leave a comment and tell us how you’re giving safe hugs these days!

 

Right now, it may not be safe to hug your loved ones, and we know how difficult that is. But there's one way we can safely give a hug. #lovewithcards Click To Tweet
Giveaway open to US addresses only, and will close on 4/27/2020. Winner will be notified via email.
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