On Friday, I was on a flight when I had the most adorable couple sitting next to me. As I gazed over I noticed that the elderly woman had placed her hand through her husbands arm and was gently resting her hand atop his. This warmed my heart and got me to thinking about my mom and dad. It is not uncommon to see them walking together holding hands even after 57 years of marriage. Finally, that thought path led me to the moment that is in this picture when I was with my grandmother the last week before she passed. I had just finished feeding her some water with a sponge on a stick and she placed her hand on top of mine as if to say thank you and show her love without uttering a single word. What is it that is in the power of a touch?

As human beings we have a need for contact with others. We can share words and glances, but it is ultimately that touch that gives us the validation that we have truly made the connection necessary to cement the feelings that are being portrayed. Unfortunately, in our current society we have made the human touch harder to accomplish. At work we used to greet others we had not seen in a long time with a handshake or a hug. In today’s environment that has been made almost impossible because of the risk that a person may take your greeting in a way that it was not intended. We can send heart, hug and love emoji’s through our electronic devices, often without offending. However, those electronic emotions have now replaced our ability to show our in person affection for another with the gentleness of a touch. Those who have abused have ruined it for those who would never thinking of purposely offending.

When I am down and sad sometimes I need someone to put their hand on my shoulder or pat my back and let me know that everything is going to be OK. When I am feeling lonely I need that hug to remind me that I matter to someone and that I am not alone. When I am having problems and issues I need someone to take my hand and let me know that everything is going to be OK.

One has to wonder if a world devoid of the human touch is part of what leads to the lack of compassion, love and understanding that we often see today. Is it possible that a little more human touch could remind people that they matter, they are not alone and in the end everything truly will be OK?

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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Mornings with Ron is now available as a podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithron or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify or most podcast sites.