Touch of a Child

Touch sooths us.  Touch is a physical display of our love.  Touch is painful.  The human body aches for the touch of another.  The touch of my son brings an array of emotions rushing through my mind.

A NICU parent learns within moments that our gentle touch overwhelms our preemie child.  My first reach toward Riley received quick warning from the nurse guarding Riley, "You must touch him firmly."  This is my baby.  He has been through so much when only hours old I needed to convey my love.  My first gentle touch met with shudders through Riley's 4'8" body.  The NICU parent learns very quickly our touch must be firm from that very first moment.  It is the firm touch that our child needs.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh