Touch me deep...

[ABSTRUSE]

"After a While"


"After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and company isn't security.
(Kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises.)

After awhile you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain
and the inevitable has a way of crumbling in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you stand too long in one place.

So, you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone else to bring you flowers.
And you learn you really can endure,
that you really do have worth.
You learn that with every good-bye comes the dawn."

By
Veronica Shofftall or Judith B. Evans or Unknown for Certain

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Here is another of hers

Psychotherapy

I' ll show you me, what there is to see,
the dreams, the fears, the anger inside.
I;ll bring you into the darkness with me
if you hold the flame high
and warn me of demons
dancing in the shadows.
You've walked these caves before,
you know the sharp edges
and where the path narrows.
You've seen the ancient pictures
of hunted beasts.
You've seen this place, though not with me.
You can show me where the water flows,
where the sun breaks through,
where the gems glitter under the sand.
I'll show you me,
what there is to see,
if you walk ahead and hold the light.

© 1995 Veronica A. Shoffstall

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I'm not sure where to put this. It might be called "touch others, maybe deep even."

Crimson Maiden wrote on the Colly memorial thread: "I never was able to get that close to Colly. Probably my fault. I tend to not initiate conversations with people because I'm always afraid I'll be bothering them." (emphasis added)

I understand the feeling, but everything in my experience says that it should be resisted. I start with myself: How do I feel when I receive a communication out of the blue from a stranger or near-stranger, probably saying something nice or interesting? It's obvious, isn't it? Delighted! It doesn't matter how busy I am, my day has been brightened.

I'm sure there are churlish misanthropes who resent such a note, but odds are they aren't the kind of people who would generate such a note in the first place.

So if you feel that urge to reach out and touch someone, do it. Don't overanalyze or talk yourself out of it. Don't worry if they're famous or highly accomplished. At bottom they're just people like you and me. Think of how you would feel. Trust your instinct. Send it.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure where to put this. It might be called "touch others, maybe deep even."

Crimson Maiden wrote on the Colly memorial thread: "I never was able to get that close to Colly. Probably my fault. I tend to not initiate conversations with people because I'm always afraid I'll be bothering them." (emphasis added)

I understand the feeling, but everything in my experience says that it should be resisted. I start with myself: How do I feel when I receive a communication out of the blue from a stranger or near-stranger, probably saying something nice or interesting? It's obvious, isn't it? Delighted! It doesn't matter how busy I am, my day has been brightened.

I'm sure there are churlish misanthropes who resent such a note, but odds are they aren't the kind of people who would generate such a note in the first place.

So if you feel that urge to reach out and touch someone, do it. Don't overanalyze or talk yourself out of it. Don't worry if they're famous or highly accomplished. At bottom they're just people like you and me. Think of how you would feel. Trust your instinct. Send it.

This bears repeating.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I'm not sure where to put this. It might be called "touch others, maybe deep even."

So if you feel that urge to reach out and touch someone, do it. Don't overanalyze or talk yourself out of it. Don't worry if they're famous or highly accomplished. At bottom they're just people like you and me. Think of how you would feel. Trust your instinct. Send it.

This is the perfect place for your words, thank you, Roxanne

 

[Guest]

Someone posted this on a doggy training forum I belong to. It touched me.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

[Nirvanadragones]

We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
Weve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

Pat Benatar: We belong

 

[3 Legged Donkey]

I was going to say something about the last person to touch me deep being the Vet, but I didn't want to drag such a beautiful thread down, so instead I will say that the thing which touched me deep most recently was someone thanking me for being in their life.

It was only the old cow in the nextdoor field, but still...

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Colleen's Melissa posting on AH.

Here's what I posted on the Memorial thread:

Gosh, it is just so touching and wonderful to have you here. I'm all choked up. I know that you are a real person and not a symbol, but I must say that your presence here still seems to provide a link to our beloved friend that is very moving. Having said so, I will now endeavor to relate to you as the independent individual that you are. And hope that you enjoy hanging with this crowd of sensitive, clever writerly types and will make a habit of it. Welcome, and welcome again.

 

[arienette]

Her voice on the other side of the telephone line, a mere three and a half hour drive away.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Hey, Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better.

And any time you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
Well don't you know that its a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder

Hey, Jude! Don't let her down
You have found her, now go and get her
Remember, to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better.

So let it out and let it in, hey, Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey, Jude,
You'll do, the movement you need is on your shoulder

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

 

[Nirvanadragones]

My father on the phone:

" Nothing is certain - not even today - this very moment. Definitely not tomorrow. And sometimes I doubt my rendition of yesterday too."

 

[scheherazade_79]

This is going back a couple of months when I was teaching. For the first time in years the Easter holiday was so late that I ended up having to go to school on my birthday. I was in a piss of a mood, because I had a lot of bad classes that day, and a parents' evening, where I was expected to stay in school until 7.

Then at the end of one class, a little girl stayed behind, looking a bit shy and gave me a birthday card.

I felt so touched I nearly cried. That alone made my day.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

To be told at 2 am: I'm really glad I met you

 

[Nirvanadragones]

To be told at 2 am: I'm really glad I met you

and to be told 10 minutes later: I too am pleased to have 'met' you, inasmuch as this is meeting

 

[scheherazade_79]

This is a story about my great uncle. He was a really sweet guy, and despite the massive age difference we got on really well. He was a scholar, a poet, and was learning foreign languages well into his 80s.

When he died, the family met up at his house before the funeral. My great aunt was devastated, but she sat down with me and told me a few things about him that touched me so deep I cried.

The one that's always remained with me is that in over sixty years of marriage, he never once criticised her, nor told her she was doing something wrong.

At that moment he became my hero, and I hope I can be like him.

 

[Anniejustagirl]

At that moment he became my hero, and I hope I can be like him.

i Think.... you already are!

 

[scheherazade_79]

i Think.... you already are!

That's one of the nicest compliments I've ever had

 

[Anniejustagirl]

That's one of the nicest compliments I've ever had

then how appropriate that it occurred here...

and i'll just bet that you were His hero too!

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I have a sudden compulsion to look for my "Beaches" dvd

 

[Anniejustagirl]

I have a sudden compulsion to look for my "Beaches" dvd

you are just deeply touched by 'hand-walking freaks'

 

[Nirvanadragones]

you are just deeply touched by 'hand-walking freaks'

Indeed! I'm touched.

 

[English Lady]

Yesterday afternoon my Nanna and my Aunty turned up at mums. We sat in the living room, (Mum, sister, boyfriend, my hubby and me+guests) and we talked. We talked about my labour and giving birth to Beth,about her eyes never shutting when she was driven from the hospital back to my house, about her collection of toys, her first word being "hiya" so she could grab peoples attention and more.

It never ceases to amaze me how much joy our daughter brings to so many people, even when she's not there. She brought smiles and laughter where there's been mostly tears and sorrow this week. She's our little miracle, she really is

 

[scheherazade_79]

I woke up this morning with my dog's head on my chest. He was wide awake, watching me sleep. As soon as I opened my eyes he started wagging his tail. It was really cute. He's really old, and we've been best friends since he arrived in my life, so he gets to go on the furniture, sleep on my bed, eat things like steak and have really cool, interesting walks.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

An intense, moving, awe-inspiring, self-awakening, long-pondering, contemplative conversation about "themes" and such.

And a compliment: "You've become integral to my mornings. Like karmic caffeine."