The feeling of riding freely on two wheels on my big girl bike on my very own was incredible.
But when I fell off and scraped my knees and arms, I also remember the pain. Oh, the pain was so bad. My mom cleaned my horrible wounds with alcohol (how I hated that alcohol) and the stinging made it even worse.
My tears would not stop but the moment my mom wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me tightly close to her (I could feel her beating heart going so quickly because she was feeling my pain too) I felt so much better.
This was one of the first memories of my childhood that I can actually still remember.
I was 15 years old, my parents just picked me up from my close friends house after a day filled with laughter, and you know, all that fun teenage girl stuff.
I was on a natural high when I stepped into my parents car ready to head home for dinner.
I noticed my mom was quiet and didn't even greet me.
My dad looked somber.
What was going on here? Did I do something wrong?
As we moved along, my dad suddenly broke the cold silence. "Your Lola Pay (Lola means Grandma)..." I became frozen in my seat.
My grandma (my mom's mom) was like my 2nd mother. She took care of me for many years and I had a very close bond to her. It wasn't until she moved back to her country across the other side of the world that she got very sick. I didn't even realize how sick she was. I would talk to her on the phone and see pictures of her beautiful, smiling face. She never showed her pain or sorrow around us, ever.
"Lola Pay passed away today."
My eyes started to burn from forcing my tears in... I didn't want to cry in front of my mom.
When we got home, my mom, like a zombie and without words for the remainder of the night, crawled into her bed and slept for the rest of the day.
I couldn't even imagine how she must have felt. Losing a mom? She was extremely close to her mom.
I remember walking into her room after I had my cry and then embracing my mom for the longest time.
I can't even recall when a hug meant so much then that very moment.
My shoulders wet from my moms tears and mine, it was the hug that mattered so much that night. No words, just the hug.
It's amazing how much hugs can really help and make a difference in how a person feels.
Whether you're a child, a baby, a teenager or an adult... everyone can always use a good hug.
I was thrilled to be selected as a new ambassador for the latest must-have plush toy of 2013 from Hasbro, Playskool's Big Hugs Elmo!
My kids have always had a love for Sesame Street and especially for that happy little Elmo!
There's something about the colour red and his friendly and positive disposition that makes kids feel comfortable and excited.
It's also great to know that Big Hugs Elmo has recently been awarded the PTPA Seal!
I didn't tell my children that they were expecting Big Hugs Elmo to be delivered to us, so I was pleasantly surprised at my daughters reaction when it got to us!
The fact that Elmo finally hugs you back is ginormous in the eyes of a 4 year old and 12 month old (and umm... a 30 year old too).
But that's not all he does!
Elmo is so super smart that he says things and reacts depending on how he's being held. Very responsive!
He also sings 3 different songs including for nap time.
It's actually quite challenging to have a Big Hugs Elmo hanging around on an already small change table when trying to change a 12 month old's dirty diaper.
But overall, it's really special seeing how my kids react and feel about having Big Hugs Elmo around.
It's definitely a must-have for your child, especially if they love Elmo! And who doesn't love Elmo?
“A hug is a great gift. One size fits all. And it’s easy to share!” – Playskool
I'm thrilled to be giving a Big Hugs Elmo away courtesy of Hasbro to one of my lucky readers.
I will also be giving away another one for next month as well, so stay tuned!
The contest closes October 18th, 2013.
Open to Canada (including Quebec) and US residents.
1) Leave me a comment below telling me when a hug meant so much
2) Additional entries available via rafflecopter below
Good luck! And don't forget to give someone a nice, big hug today!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I am participating in the Hasbro Big Hugs Elmo Blogger Campaign by PTPA Media and received compensation as a thank you for participating. The opinions expressed on this blog are my very own.
68 comments:
When my grandmother passed away, at her funeral, my daughter who was 4 years old came up to me, hugged me & said "It's ok Mama, Gramma is still with us in our hearts".
Everyday after work. My job is so stressful and exhausting, and hugs from my son fix the stress
Every hug a get from my 2 kids are the best! Nothing beats to little arms holding you close!
I love hugs anytime and anywhere!
I live across the country from my parents so when I finally get the chance to see them after many months... it's all about the hugs!
I love a hug anytime but I especially love,one when I'm feeling sad
When my mother passed away a few years ago a hug really helped
thanks
My husband faced Leukemia this last year, my sisters hugs sustained me when I was feeling overwhelmed.
When my grandmother passed away, a hug made all the difference. Of course I had my little cry session, but after that a nice long hug really helped.
When a hug means the most is when my children hug you on thier own, with my 3yr old & 17 month old, it totally melts my heart each & every time they hug me. They dont understand all the complexness behind emotions and only know love, I feel like everytime they hug someone they truly mean it & fell it in thier heart!
Every hug counts in my opinion! Love the ones when I walk through the door especially
I love it when my husband gives me a big hug when he is apologizing!
When my son just randomly hugs me and doesn't want to let go. It warms my heart. But when he does that to me when I'm dropping him off to school - it kills me! :)
Hugs from my kids mean a lot when I'm having a tough day.
Name on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy
My mother and grandfathers all died in quick succession. When I was at the lowest of my low, when I was trying to be strong for everyone else, my friend came to town and gave me one of those long, close, tight hugs and held me for what seemed like forever. The kind that tell you it will be okay, you are loved, you are not alone. The kind of hug my mother would have given me if she hadn't been taken away so soon.
When I was emotional from my pregnancy, hubby gave me a great big hug! Meant a lot!!
I had to have emergency surgery and my hubby gave me the longest, biggest hug. Made having to go through it just a little easier. (Judy Cowan)
Any time I am feeling a bit down I go visit my grandchildren and their hugs are the best cure.
When I lost my son (stillborn)
When I've lost people, and pets.
When I've had a really tough day, a huge hug from husband or son means the world today and makes me forget all the "yucky" stuff that happened during that day.
When I came home from a very stressful day at work, my daughter meeting me at the front door with her big smile and open arms for a huge hug really helped this Mama to feel better!
Every time my children hug me it means an insane amount to me! I just feel so blessed.
After a hard day at work a hug can make all the difference in my stress level!
Hugs always mean the world to me but the most special hug that means the most was from my sister in law who passed away.
When I hugged my best friend when she lost her father, everything could be told just in a hug
when i'm feeling down...so a hug means a lot
After a tough day at work coming home and getting a hug and feeling the love is the best!.
SueSueper
When my dad died when I was 19, I really appreciated all the hugs I received.
After I receiving an upsetting phone call at work recently, I burst into tears in my office. My assistant came in and quietly gave me a big hug which I definitely needed!
When my dad hugged me on my wedding day, it was so special to me!
On the day my kids were born all I want was to hug and cry
It means a lot to me when my 13 year old hugs me. He's at that age where hugs are definitely a treat because he doesn't give them out very often.
Hugs always make they the day better when I'm feeling sad or tired.
i love to get hugs from my daughter
freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
The very first time my daughter wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed... The first time she hugged me back.
after rough days at work, hugs always make me feel better
Thanks for sharing your story about the meaning of a hug - it truly has such amazing healing power. I probably hug my kids 100x a day... luckily, they (still) don't mind.
When my son just gives me a hug outta nowhere it means the world to me!
When my Dad died, a friend showed up at his funeral who I wasn't expecting. She took some time off work to be there for me.
Last week I left my 2yr old with his Auntie for almost 2 days and that hugg when i returned was worth it all....Lori Jackson
When my mother in law hugged me when I was struggling with breastfeeding my eldest. Suddenly after it all clicked
My husband hugs me after a tough day of being a stay at home mom and it helps me stay calm :)
When my husband hugs me after a hard day!
Hugs mean so much when you're having a rough day.
I got a hug from my son this morning! I love goodmorning hugs!
When I get back home from work, the big hugs that I got from my kids meant so much to me. I am very blessed to have a family and my kids are healthy
I love the hug I get when my hubby returns home from sea.
Hugs always mean a lot to me when my granddaughter leaves after visiting. She lives outside my province I know it will be awhile before I get to see her again
Actually just yesterday when I was telling my 32 year old son about something that has been making me sad for awhile and he got up and and gave me a kiss and a hug. It made my day.
when I am having a bad day,a hug from my hubby or son,always makes me feel better! Hugs are great! :)
(Karla Sceviour)
My mom never hugged me growing up. When I was going through some troubled and stressful times, my mom gave me a hug. It really helped me get through it.
When i'm having a bad day and my daughter gives me a hug
When my daughter came back from University years ago!
Whenever my son gives me a hug it means so much!
When my baby first started wanting hugs, that was special to me. It was nice for her to be able to show me that she needed me and appreciated me.
When I said goodbye to my brother after a great visit!
My children age 2 & 4 would love this, they both love elmo
Daily hugs from my daughter
Whenever I want a hug and ask for one from my son and he actually gives me one!
Daily hugs from my 2 and 4 y/o make my day. I agree, hugs are nice!
When my son who left for the military hugged me and let me cry on him at my grandmothers funeral 2 years ago after not seeing him for a while as he had been in basic, texas, florida, and japan. this I think was truly the first time I realized how much of a man my son had become. That same man and his wife gave me my first granddaughter last Monday. I couldn't be prouder of him.
after a tough day
I had a really tough childhood where i was ridiculed and made fun of every day for everything i did by my siblings - be it be the way i ate, the way i walked or the way my dress was....And to top it my mother never understood me and till date, she always makes me feel i will be never good enough for her like unlike my sisters. During all those sad times, I would have loved to get a hug which would have made life easier and liveable.
When I was leaving home for the 1st time from my mom. I cried so hard because I didn't want to leave her but I knew it was time for me to start my new adventure in life.
hugs are wonderful when you haven't had one for a long time. thanks l p
When i got back from my trip & my 3 year old nice ran up to me & gave me a great big hug
when i get home from a rough day at work i love to get a nice big hug
When a loved one passed, a hug is much needed (rafflecopter Marie Cat)
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