Touch

One of those things you miss living alone is touch of another.

There is something soothing in a touch. It connects us together. A gentle brush on an arm, a bump in passing, a kiss on the neck, a massage or just the brush of a hair away from the face is all about the touch.

This is impossible from social distancing.

Even the firm handshake or the pat on the back is no longer acceptable human activities.

If (and or when) we come out on the other side of this, will we trust our old habits? Will we fear each other to stay away and not touch?

From the time we crawled out of the water we groomed each other. Have you missed your haircuts yet? Have you noticed how fast your nails grow? The personal preening by another draws us together. Look at the number of strangers we would hug. Remember the slow dance?

It has been ancient history for me, but I have memories that still make the hairs on my back stand at attention. A touch, fondle, stroke, cuddle all requires the human touch and response. A pet is different than Fido.

Couples who were together when all this happened can hope the other one doesn’t have it and being quarantined together for a month should see the symptoms but in the meantime can cook together close in the kitchen, snuggle together watching old movies, holding hands on long walks and cuddling in the bedroom.

For the rest of us, no matter how many rooms to wander back and forth or electronic distractions, there is no one to touch.

The few ventures out into public, touching a stranger would not be appropriate before and now even the attempt would become a capitol crime.

If and when we can approach one another, the touch will be more appreciated and cherished.