Page 42 - May 2021 proof - The Castle Pines Connection

42 CastlePinesConnection.com
Mail-A-hug
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Paul Brannberg and Lisa Hutchinson
By nature, human beings are social. Relationships with others help individuals survive and thrive. Staying socially connected can increase longevity, improve immune function and cardiac health. While physical distancing is still important during COVID-19, maintaining social connections is just as important. Grateful for their distant loved ones, the lower elementary students of DCS Montessori (DCSM) practiced gratitude with open arms and mailed “hugs” to those they were missing.
Many of DCSM lower elementary teacher Paul Brannberg’s students have not been able to see grandparents and other loved ones who live far away during the past year. Brannberg thought creating and mailing “hugs” would mean a great deal to families, distant loved ones and students.
Student and local Castle Pines resident Jimmy Freeman sent a heartfelt hug to his distant grandparents. Touched by the gesture, DCSM received a message from the hug recipients.
Freeman’s grandparents wrote, “We are thrilled to have such a beautiful letter
and hands to wrap around us during this difficult time. We have been unable to see our grandchildren since December 2019,
Practicing a life skill, Reagan Tuebner proofreads her letter and addresses the envelope before she seals her mail-a-hug.
and as soon as we are both vaccinated, we are planning a visit!”
Fifty-two hands were traced, and 26 hugs were created for grandparents, aunts and uncles, an old classmate and a babysitter. While the students had fun creating their mailable hug, it was also a way to practice letter writing and addressing.
Make your own mailable hugs
To make your own mailable hug, you will need paper, ribbon, scissors, glue and a pencil. To measure wingspan, take the ribbon and measure the length from wrist to wrist across the body. Next, trace both hands on to paper and cut out. Glue traced hands to the ribbon and include
a handwritten letter with the following poem:
I miss you when
you’re far away.
I’d love to see you every day. But since I can’t come over to play,
I’m mailing you a hug today! So, although it may be quite a sight,
Wrap my arms around you tight! Repeat daily to keep your smile bright
Until we get to reunite!
May 2021
Jimmy patiently waits for the day he is reunited with his grandparents.
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