04:33: i've been watching way too much reality tv. this new cable channel, (new to our service provider, anyway) etc, has this one show called starting over, where 6 women all live in one house, trying to work out their personal problems and fix their lives. this girl, lori, was asked to share her story and had everyone crying, myself included. one of the other girls, maureen, suggested a group hug, thinking she needed one since lori probably hadn't had anyone hug her since her husband died 5 years back. group hugs weren't really lori's thing, but she just went with the program.
i realize that i am not a very touchy-feely sort of person. at least not the overly affectionate kind. my friends are the kind who say hello and goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. among long-time friends, that's alright, but i find myself less comfortable doing the same actions with other people. with others, i respond but rarely initiate. still, there are those rare occasions when a hug or a head on a shoulder makes things easier.
touch is important. one touch can say a lot. my niece showed me that when she was two years old. i sat on the floor, frustrated and upset, camera in hand. she didn't know enough words to ask what was wrong or to say something that would make me feel better, but she tilted her head, said my name, and touched my arm. it was enough.
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