"Pick a Word, Paint a Story #20"

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A possible scenario to help you think might be a recalled:

To how your mother palm touch keeps you comfortable and safe...
Well, you can't tell now, must have been too long but trust me you felt that connection. Also during morning devotion, ur mum tapping you to stay awake and sometime you felt bad? Well, most kid felt bad because sleep is a big deal during hour of morning devotion. But for your greater good she keep touching you to stay awake until you see the significance in morning devotion. How about the school teacher’s reassuring pat after a tough lesson. After the touch on your shoulder follows the words, "don't worry, you will get to understand just learned with understanding" Or is it the handshake from a stranger that felt like an invitation to peace. I have been comforted by a stranger before through a handshake and I know that feeling of strength it holds. You felt like, someone was noticing your efforts.

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I don't know how many people will hold this view with me across the world but from my experience In local clinics across Nigeria, where resources are often stretched thin, healing doesn’t always come from the medicine shelf those science might doubt this but sometimes healing comes through human touch. Hopefully science don't explain everything. Well, I haven't seen individual who choose to stay alone in the presence of a lovely family who can keep them warm.

I have a friend who work in private hospital and her patient once called her to say this on the day of her discharged.

Her patients said, "it wasn't just for your medical care that I am healthy but how you would sit beside me, hold my hands and offer steady calm in the middle of fear."

That’s the kind of healing science can’t explain. Touch becomes a bridge between fear and hope.

Many people experience gried but some feel different in such moment all by the very act of touch from someone else. In times of loss, when words feel shallow, presence matters most. Nigerians know this deeply.

In my culture, when someone loses a loved one, mourners show up not to give lengthy speeches, but to simply be there. They sit. They hold hands. They place comforting palms on backs and shoulders. And in those quiet moments, healing of comfort begins.

At a burial in Uyo, I once watched a grieving widow sob silently. But when her childhood friend arrived and just wrapped her arms around her, no words spoken and the widow finally broke down in a way that brought her relief. Someone she could confide on in her weakness.

That was the healing power of touch.

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Like I would say, act of touch is not only for sadness. It is also how we share joy.

You can pause reading and have a thought about weddings, naming ceremonies and graduation parties. There’s clapping, handshakes, shoulder bumps and hugs that carry the full weight of excitement.

I’ll never forget a moment at my elder sister convocation ceremony in Owerri, where my father, after years of hustling to sponsor his daughter’s education, lifted her off the ground with tears in his eyes. No words needed. That touch said:

“We made it.”

Let me stress your thinking a bit. Touch doesn’t always mean physical contact alone. Sometimes, to touch someone’s life is to show up when it’s inconvenient, to lend a helping hand without making noise. I don't know how to detail this but should you need more clarity. Leave comment.

Let me give you a brief instance of this. In my institution, University of Uyo a lecturer once helped fund a final-year student’s research project without expecting anything in return and that was a touch of compassion. I don't know, if I am making any sense?

When a stranger buys food for a tired keke rider at night, that is a touch of love.

These are the moments that bind society together in quiet strength.

Despite being more connected than ever through phones and apps, many people feel untouched, emotionally and physically.

Folks comment “congrats” under posts, but forget to call.
Folks say “happy birthday” in texts but forget to hug.
Children grow up in houses where affection is scarce.
Elders sit in silence, untouched for weeks.

We’re replacing human warmth with emojis and it’s leaving hearts colder.

I try to portray many form we can carry out act of touch. Let's try to bring back act of touch whether through a handshake, a hug, a helping hand or simply being present in someone’s time of need. touch is how we remind others they’re not alone and telling them that we see their efforts.

It doesn’t cost anything, yet it can save a soul from sinking.

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So, the next time you visit your grandmother, hold her hand and let her feel your young skin and feel refresh.
When your friend is stressed, place a calming hand on their back and try to be the mother or father they need.
Don’t just “send prayers” show up in person, because that truly build confidence.
Touch lives, not just screens.

**Always remember! At the end of the day, people won’t remember everything you said. But they will remember how you made them feel.
I really appreciate your efforts reading this and I tender you practice an act of touch to someone out there.

I invite on @edu-chemist @bossj23 @basil20 to participate in the contest.

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