TOUCH | Page 10

So, I dismantled the remnants of my married life, I set forth doing any work that I could get my hands upon. I wanted to volunteer in a seniors residence, so I did - and then grace shined down and a friend recommended that I should care for someone in their home. So there, I began caring for an elderly woman partially paralyzed from a stroke. Having no formal care experience, I dived into the task from my heart. I learned the skills quickly and the tasks were somehow effortless. It was easy to do this job because the intention was to care and my heart needed something to care about again. The more I got to know the woman, the more she relaxed in my presence. With her permission, I began doing light foot massages and was truly amazed at the depth of the relaxation that these touch sessions evoked. ” My daughter is my regular companion these days and comes along occasionally in my caregiving work. The impact of her observations of Mommy at work was most evident when I fell ill with the flu, just a few weeks ago. In my weakened state, I was so moved when my daughter naturally went to work caring for me; rubbing Mommy’s feet and demonstrating the gentlest loving touch. “Touch has a memory” or so this quote from John Keats in the Navina e-Magazine - 3rd edition would have us ponder. This idea drew me into the folds of this wonderful publication and since then I have been devouring the information and techniques relating them to my life and family. Thank you Navina™; so grateful for this gift of compassionate touch for the immense goodness it cultivates. ” “ In my weakened state, I was so moved when my daughter naturally went to work caring for me; rubbing Mommy’s feet and demonstrating the gentlest loving touch. TOUCH SEEMS TO BE AS ESSENTIAL AS SUNLIGHT. - DIANE ACKERMAN