An interesting thing happened in school yesterday. I was on my knees beside B, talking about his writing, when M, a precious little talker, famous for his charm and smiles, passed behind me. As he passed, he softly placed one hand on my shoulder for just a second, and moved on by. I continued talking to the boy at my side, but I glanced at M with a question on my face. He held up his right hand in a little wave.
“Do you need me, or were you just being affectionate?” I asked quietly.
His quiet answer matched my question. “Just being affectionate,” he said.
I returned one of his famous smiles and said a heartfelt, “Thank you.”
It was just a brief soft touch on my shoulder, but it encouraged me and has haunted me. How often do I think to reach out and encourage someone with a brief touch of affection? How often have I neglected those small opportunities?
1 comment:
That is so sweet of M! Being a touchy kind of affectionate person myself, I cannot help but want to use touch as a way to comfort and/or encourage. Like A.R. when she just comes up and hugs, just because she feels like she needs to. That just makes my day so much better!
Post a Comment