The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
Have you ever considered how powerful a hug, a handshake, a pat on the back, a wave, a smile, or other simple gesture can be? We especially realize the importance of such gestures when they are missing. Perhaps someone is in a hurry and forgets to look back and give that final wave, or a new acquaintance neglects to extend a welcoming hand. The lack of these gestures leave many feeling empty or making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true.
While we take these gestures for granted most of the time, there are times when such gestures can be more meaningful than any amount of words or monetary gifts. For some people, gestures are the best way, and sometimes the only way, they know how to express themselves. Sometimes, people simply do not know how to use words to express how they are feeling, while others are literally incapable.
A simple gesture played an important role after my recent surgery. Before my surgery, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea for my mother to attend. I thought the day might be too taxing for her. However, she insisted on coming. After surgery, she did something that meant more than anything else she could have said or given to me. She simply came over to my bed and held my hand. Without saying a word, my mother squeezed my hand harder than I thought she could, and continued to hold on. I had no idea until that moment how much I had needed her or wanted her, nor had I realized how much healing power she still held in her hands—literally. You see, my mother is one of those people who is incapable of expressing how she feels either by words or emotions due to a health issue. Yet, as always, she taught me a lesson, which is that sometimes words and gifts aren’t enough or even necessary—that sometimes what we need the most is truly very simple.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
