Hold on...

Ever get that feeling that you just want to grab someone and not let go? Maybe it's because things are rough. Maybe it's because someone finally treats you the way you want to be treated. Maybe it's because someone sees the "you" that even you didn't see. Maybe there's a big step that needs to be taken, and it's frightening.

And whoever that person is, you just want to grab on. Because holding onto someone means that someone else is real. Because they're not moving in the swirling tides. Because they know what it is to be adrift. Because they can never know, but they understand. Because they can't understand, but they feel that you need them. Because they don't even know why they're so helpful and wonderful. Because we know that as human beings, a touch is powerful.

Touching someone else is a consequential action. Some people do it casually. I know many people who do it practically without thinking about it. Some of those people act like it's no big deal, but I know that they thought about it. They analyzed the situation in advance. They calculated how casual to make the touch so it would still feel like no big deal. But those people know different. They know why they want the contact, but they're afraid of the reasons. They're afraid of being spurned, even as they reach out to someone (which they probably seldom do). They want a form of intimacy, and are willing to disguise it under a friendly "Listen to this!" tap. Or a "watch out, that person needs to get behind you" pull. Or a "help me off the floor" touch.

Other people know exactly what their touch means. It's a comfort. It's a tease. It's sympathy. It's relief. It's camaraderie. It's an apology. It's a commiseration on why it has to be so hard. It's a possessive feeling. It's a sign you aren't dreaming. It's a sign of the beginning. It's a sign it's over. It's a "this touch gives me some of your worries." It's a plea for understanding.

And everyone once and a while, don't you wish your embrace had the power to block out the world? To hold someone and keep on holding until all the troubles fade, all the problems are fixed, all the fear evaporates. To hold them because that's all that can be done; there is no other possible choice. To hold them until things work out like they should. To hold them to show that there is no "alone." To hold them because there are too many words to express the joy. To hold them because there are no words to express the sorrow. To hold them because you wish you could protect them, even though you can't. To hold them because you can't let go.

Do you ever get that feeling?

...me neither...