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I really did not want to choose the subject of human touch but I think I have a story to share here.

Church is supposed to be where you find healing, but many people walk in the door, hear the sermon and walk out without ever being touched in any way. They try, but it just doesn't happen to them for various reasons. One of them main reasons, I assume, is because they are closed off without realizing it.

On one Sunday morning, no different than any other, I was in church. When it came to the part of the service where officiant says to join hands, I had a person on only my one side. I thought, well, I'll have to reach across the aisle and grab this person's hand. When I did, I felt a little resistance on her part, but she soon opened her hand and there we stood, the only people reaching across the aisle.
(Not a big thing.) I saw a little something in her eyes and I took the chance to let go of her hand and give her a hug.

Several months later I was standing with a group of people, talking and waving my hands around as I often do in the middle of a story when I felt a soft tap on my back. Since I was fully into the story I had to be tapped with a little more impatience the next time. When I turned around there was a man and lady standing there. She asked me, "do you remember me?" To which I replied "No, I'm sorry, I don't."

She said I'm that lady you reached out across the aisle to several months ago. I said,"Oh, of course"..although I had no memory of it at that moment. She went on to say her husband had passed away a few years back and she had just gone "inward." She said she didn't go out of her way to seek affection although she needed it so badly in her life. "That day you reached out and looked into my eyes changed my life."

Imagine my surprise and embarrassment, really, when someone comes up to you in front of a group of friends and says words like these to you. Of the many things I have ever intentionally done to help people in my life I would never have guessed this would have been one of the occasions.

She said."by the way, I would like to introduce my friend, Tom to you. We met right after that Sunday...we're on our way to play tennis." I thanked her and just like a phantom, she was gone.

Human touch, really powerful.

Learn more about this author, Pat Bulova.
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