It was in January the winter of 1990 the holidays had just passed and everyone was getting back into their normal routine.
I was 30 years old and had always kept myself within arms length of anyone.
Never shaking hands, hugging simply put I was and had never been an affectionate person.
I was 30 years old ..looking back now I see it almost like being in my own personal self absorbed self so much that Unknowing I was depriving myself of one of lifes most beautiful
necessity, that being THE POWER OF TOUCH
We all need to be hugged, have our tears wiped away a kiss on the cheek or just a soft hand gently on your back. but that was not me, I was not having it.
I stopped at the grocery store after
work that day to pick up a few things on my way home, it was just so cold I was freezing and just wanted to hurry and get home.
As I went to grab a hand basket there was an elderly man ahead of me trying to grab the handles on the basket so he also could get on with his shopping. but his hands were old and bent and completely frozen he kept trying to pick up that basket with no success. I said "excuse me Sir! May I help you” he replied “my hands are so cold I just cant seem to grab ahold of the handles” “ here let me” just then his hands touched mine and they were ice cold , just frozen they truly felt frozen solid. I said “ oh my, your hands they are so cold” I then put his hands in mine. I thought wow cupping my hands around his and thought this poor man and I just couldn't let go. It was as if we were alone in the store and time just stood still for that moment, I felt his hands getting warmer and he said to me " oh thank you miss, thats much better" he slowly released his hands from mine and as I stood watching him he bent down picked up his basket I said "oh good, you are welcome, have a nice day" he just looked at me, no words and he smiled at me , his smile had a funny smirk. I then turned and walked away to do my own shopping and as I was taking my first few steps with my back toward him. I thought to myself that was strange, I have not touched another person and felt the power of touch and love within me, and I really just could not remember the last time. Just at that moment I turned to look back at him. he was gone .. I looked up and down a couple isles I ran through the outside door to see if he was in the parking lot, he was not. I went back in the store
and he was gone, just gone that was it gone!
I slowly got the few things that I needed and I thought to myself I cannot believe I have been so self absorbed and missed out on so many years feeling a soft touch and just with all the emotions that came from a simple handshake, hugs a kiss or just a touch to the arm.
It was then I believe I was blessed with the power of touch and I never forgot how that old man changed the way I treated people.
from that day forward I have always made an effort show my affection and love through the power that man passed on to me that cold winter day in 1990.
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