The Human Touch

When seeing a baby for the first time, most people want to hold it, stroke its cheek, or grab its hand. Touch is very important. Many babies are placed on the mother's abdomen right after birth to have that skin-on-skin contact. Studies have shown that infants need touch for their emotional and mental development.

When we see a friend after a long absence, want to comfort someone, or say goodbye to a loved one, we usually grab them in for a hug. From the right person a hug can be calming and fill you with a sense of peace (Unless you are my girls and you enjoy your personal space!)

If someone does a good job, we give a pat on the back or a high five. We shake hands as a greeting, closure, or to seal a deal.

Touch is an integral part of our everyday lives. Touch is connected to our emotional well being. Touch is one of the things I miss most.

Maddy and I seemed to be touching in some form most of the time. At church he put his arm around me, put his hand on my leg, or held my hand during prayer time. In the car he held my hand or put his hand on my arm or leg or I grabbed his hand or arm. While we sat and watched TV we did the same thing or I cuddled up with him. When he walked by me he would touch me in some way. I loved to come up behind him and give him a hug. Most pictures we took together he had his arm around my waist. Touch was important to our relationship and helped keep us close.

At night when we went to bed I usually put my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest while he put his arm around me. I listened to his heartbeat and could feel the stress of the day evaporate. My heart rate would decrease and my breathing would calm. Just his touch could lower my blood pressure. I used to tell him if I was ever in a the hospital and they needed my vitals to stabilize, he just needed to climb in the hospital bed and snuggle. Many nights I fell asleep laying on his shoulder. Of course I would wake up later sweating because he was a human heater and move to my side of the bed.

When my father died, he held me. When our dog died, he held me. When my mother died, he held me. When his mother died, I held him. When he died, I had no one to hold me. I lost that source of strength and calm. I lost the one that could hold me and make my day a little better. It's amazing how much you can miss the touch of someone you love.

In the Bible we see that touch is used over and over to heal. Jesus touched many to heal ailments. He used his hands to replace the guard's ear that Peter had cut. The woman in the crowd touched his cloak and was healed. He touched and healed the leper. The disciples were also able to heal by laying on of hands. The hymn "He Touched Me" says how just His touched "made me whole".

I've lain in bed wishing to feel Maddy's arms around me. Knowing that will not happen, I pray for God to wrap His loving arms around me to protect and comfort me in my time of sorrow. I know that if Jesus stretched His hand out to Peter to lift him out of the water, He will surely lift me up in my time of grief. I will cling to Him and His promises until the day I can hold Maddy again.