Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch is a children’s picture book written by Eileen Spinelli.

It’s about a lonely man who keeps to himself and doesn’t interact with anyone. One day he receives a box of chocolates in the mail with a note that simply says “Somebody loves you.” With no idea who it could be, he starts getting to know the people he interacts with in his life; his co-workers, neighbors, the man that sells newspapers, etc. All the while wondering, ‘Could it be them?’ He bakes treats for everyone, helps them out and serves lemonade and cookies to the neighbors from his front porch.

But a few weeks later, the mailman comes to him with sad news. The box had been delivered to the wrong address. It wasn’t intended for him at all. Mr. Hatch realized that nobody loved him and sadly goes back to his empty, isolated world.

Everyone wonders what happened to him. The mailman tells them the story. The next Saturday, Mr. Hatch steps outside to sweep off his porch. Gathered in his yard are his neighbors, new friends, coworkers and the mailman. A big banner is held up for him to see. It says “Everybody loves you, Mr. Hatch.”

I got tears just writing this. I do every time. It really moves me how a simple gesture can change a life.

But there is another message. Sometimes you have to take the brave step of reaching out to others.

The greatest love note is the very words of Jesus himself: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

For every person out there, there is Someone who loves you.

If you would like to hear Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, Actor Hector Elizonda reads it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGAS_Aj85cA&t=68s

And of course, support an author and your local bookstore. Purchase a copy for yourself or someone you know.