by Linda Ratcliff
One day, someone is going to hug you so tight that
all your broken pieces will stick back together.
– Author Unknown
Hug Someone with Your Dulcimer
But then I joined a church that was big on hugging, and I got a LOT of practice. Over time, I changed from being an awkward hugger to being a sincere hugger … a hugger who actually reaches out to people now for a hug (and sometimes realizes too latethat they’re still at the awkward hugger stage).

When I was thinking about the progress I’ve made with giving and receiving hugs, I realized that I’m still shy about playing my dulcimer for people. And the light came on in my brain. There are so many parallels!
- Hugs give people joy. Music gives people joy.
- Hugs give people comfort. Music gives people comfort.
- Giving someone a hug makes them feel loved. Playing your instrument for someone, especially one on one, makes them feel loved.

NOTE: When I play for a “captive audience” like this, I always take along some percussion instruments, so they can play along with me. I quickly get more comfortable in the environment, when I can see how much fun they’re having.