Touch

This week there were several beautiful moments with our Violet. Actually everyday there are beautiful moments, but I wanted to record this so that we could remember it.
It was Monday morning. Violet and I were on one of our daily walks around the block and we met one of our sweet neighbors in the road. She is an elderly woman who lives in the house behind us. She lives with her son and daughter-in-law and their dog Myuchan. Unfortunately, I do not know her name but she called herself "Baachan" with just means Grandma. So, Baachan was in her beautiful garden picking flowers for their family butsudan. Baachan had just finished collecting and arranging her flowers and saw us walking by. She approached us with a smile and we walked toward one another. When she saw Violet's face her own eyes lit up with joy. Violet also lit up with a warm smile. Baachan smiled and caressed Violet's cheek with the back of her hand and exclaimed how soft it was. She said that she could not hold a baby anymore because she was not strong enough. Then, in a timid voice, she asked me (in Japanese) if she could please touch her cheek to Violet's. Of course, I replied. Baachan then gently approached Violet with her head slightly tilted as if asking permission and lovingly pressed her cheek against Violet's. Violet smiled and remained still for as long as Baachan remained there. When Baachan stood back up she took a deep breath and smiled so beautifully and Violet giggled. It was as if she had breathed new life into her lungs. So often we forget the power of touch. And so often the elderly, bedridden and infirmed are not afforded the luxury we so often take for granted, the gentle caress of a child or loved one. After we shared this tender moment we walked up to her house together. After visiting with her daughter and myuchan (the dog) they gave us a dish of hotate (scallop) rice. It was absolutely delicious.
After I returned home and Violet fell asleep, before I laid her down in her crib I breathed her in and I pressed my cheek against her cheek. This is something I do on a daily basis but that time I moved ever so slowly so that I could truly appreciate this new life in my arms. I breathed in new life and I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. As we new parents become accustomed to our new lives , so often we get in to a ritual and lose sight of the precious moments or we are overcome with exhaustion or sometimes frustration. Baachan reminded me of the healing power of touch. Each day we have the opportunity to breath in life. It is all around us, in the flowers and the trees in the green grass and our own friends and family members. The Lord has given us the gift of new life with each day. Let us breathe Him in each day. He is in all that lives on this earth. Thank you Father for the beautiful flower you have planted in our hearts and lives. We are so grateful to breathe her in each day.