I was just reading a message from someone who had just finished reading my latest book. They were telling me how they had needed a laugh and I had provided that for them. They also said, if they could, they would give me a hug, too, for brightening their day and a thought struck me. I would really like to be able to hug each and every person who has read my books! Wouldn’t that be great!
I would be a crying, blubbering idiot but I’d just like to hug each and every one of you because I know what you go through on a daily basis. The ups and downs of life get to us at times and there are those days we could all just use a hug.
Since I can’t be where each of you are, I had the idea of all of us identifying ourselves to each other out there. So here’s what I thought about at 2 a.m. this morning.
Suppose each of us carries around our own copy of one of my books. Carry it face out so it’s easy to identify. Then, whenever you see someone with one, you don’t even have to say a word. Just walk up to that person and give them a hug! We’ll all know why. Hugs are definitely needed in today’s world. And who knows, someone who hasn’t read the book might stop you and ask a question. You might be just the person they need to survive their own hell of a day and you could be just the person to give them a hug or two.
I take copies wherever I go, and I try to leave copies in public places for others to find. I’ve left copies on airplanes, at restaurants, doctors’ offices, hospitals and as many places as I can. I even play “Porch Fairy” and leave a Maggie Rivers’ bag with a few goodies and a book in it on random front porches because I know there are so many others out there who need to know they aren’t alone and who just might need a laugh or two. They need to know there is someone out there in this world who cares. My hope is that others will do the same. Now I know at this point in some people’s lives buying an extra book to just give away is not affordable. But, I’m hoping that when it is something you can afford to do, you’ll purchase extra copies and give them out to someone who just might need to know they aren’t alone in their own private hell.
Wouldn’t it be awesome to walk down the street, see someone walking toward you carrying a book you recognize and you both begin to smile as you hurry to get close enough to get a hug! Absolute awesomeness! Give them a hug! Then give them an extra hug and tell them it’s from Maggie!
And, to anybody out there reading this who hasn’t read any of my books, who happens to need a hug, if you see someone carrying around one of my books, walk up and talk to them and you might just get the hug you need! #spreadinghugs