I had a peculiar way of expressing my emotions when I was younger, I didn’t talk at all. I liked sitting there with myself, daydreaming and missing out on Ms.Candell’s lesson. I was in my own little world, “La La land” they liked to call it.
My poor worried mother signed me up for counseling in first grade, I thought it was just extra free time while the others were learning how to count money. My counselor kept bringing up my parents when all I wanted to do was play with the toys she had available. Seven year old Jocey with her Dora haircut didn’t feel the need to open her mouth, who had time to talk about a divorce when there’s puzzles to solve? So she bought me my own bedazzled journal to write or draw my feelings in. Although my height didn’t change as much as I wanted it to, my personality sure did. I liked to describe my feelings in color, “I feel blue when I hear my parents fighting”, I continued with “-And I feel PINK when they take me to the circus!”
Seeing that my counselor really liked that, I continued to describe life scenarios with colors. She was happy to see my personal growth with small things like that, I liked to see her happy. I didn’t know I could do that.
Everyone was born with some purpose I think, something they must fulfil. I felt at such a young age that my purpose was to leave every person with a smile and a free hug. I loved making family and friends laugh, not to mention I was pretty darn good at it. I fulfilled this destiny of mine in a bunch of ways. I didn’t even know I was doing it half of the time! I feel funny saying that, like, Jocey it’s not that deep.
My family and I were walking in downtown Chicago on a summer day, and we saw something different. A blue haired ecstatic girl holding a sign that read, “Free hugs!” At first I was confused. Was this a trick or prank, was she okay? I usually see people holding signs for social justice or something really serious, but this was pure and lifting. She was standing there holding that sign with the sun beaming on her, yet she smiled. My family and I all took turns giving her a hug, a short interaction but a life long message.
The blue haired girl inspired me to leave my mark here while I can, to spread love and good vibes. With family, friends, and strangers, whoever crosses your path. And what’s a better way to do that than with a warm free hug?
