And it's not the last time a loving hug has healed me of my embarrassment or fear or loneliness. Touch has a lot of taboos in our society. And God knows how destructive inappropriate touch can be. Other cultures are more physical. They embrace and kiss mere acquaintances as a greeting.
Men hold hands as they visit.
People stand so close together when they talk they can feel each other's breath in their faces. But in our culture our private space extends a few feet beyond us, and sometimes several yards. I didn't grow up in a real physical family. The ties of love are strong, but we didn't touch much, didn't hug all the time like some families do. Consequently, touch has all the more significance for me.