Give a Hug; Get a Blessing

Today I was grumpy. I admit it. I ate food I should not have eaten last night, and suffered many ill effects. My children, who also ate the food they should not have, also suffered ill efects. They were a bit, well, let's say emotional today.
It's much more difficult to be cheerful when I don't feel well. Feeling sick or being in pain always gives me a greater appreciation for what my husband endures daily without complaint. But I'm not allowed to be grumpy when I don't feel well. I am called to be thankful and joyful and loving regardless of how I feel.
So I drank lots of water, took a few supplements and drugs, turned on the music, and hugged. I hugged my children; one by one I grabbed them and hugged them. Even my oldest, who has never really been one for hugging, hugged me back with enthusiasm; and my son, the perpetual hug addict, was thrilled and wouldn't let go. I hugged my middle children and smiled at them. I hugged my baby.
And I was amazed at how the chain grew. The more I hugged, the happier I felt. The more I hugged, the more they hugged me back, over and over again. I started kissing my children, and they began to laugh with me, so I hugged them even more. When my husband came home, I hugged him and told him how much I appreciated him. I felt even better. By giving away affection, despite how sick and generally awful I felt, I received a greater blessing.
I had considered calling it a sick day and going back to bed, but I am glad I didn't. I'm glad I gave away hugs, because I got a blessing. A wonderful blessing. The blessing of love.