"Extensive research by the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute has revealed that human touch has wide-ranging physical and emotional benefits for people of all age groups. In the Institutes's experiments, touch lessened pain, improved pulmonary function, increased growth in infants, lowered blood glucose and improved immune function." From www.livestrong.com.
When the twins were but tiny babies, the importance of infant massage what just being communicated to the world. Each night, after their bath, I would put them on the table and take the baby oil and rub it onto their cherubic bodies. They would coo and smile up at me. My heart would pitter-patter all for the love of these tiny boys. The massage may have been for their health, but it sure did my heart good.
After surgery for breast cancer, I was required to have radiation treatments. First came the measurements and then the treatments. I was tired and frightened to lie there for the first few times. But the nurses had hands that were compassionate, competent and professional. Sometimes, our touch waylays fear and lighten someone's trials.
Sometimes there are no words. When all things verbal escape you, there is still a hand that can be held. Sorrow consoled within a hug. Compassion in a brushing away of a tear. Uncertainty in a grasp. Love bestowed with a kiss. As much as I love the world of language, life is much richer to have been touched.
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