Touch

Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls

Merriam-Webster defines sensual as "relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite. Fleshy"

The more I have paid attention to my own behaviors the more I realize I am ruled by my senses. I am a sensual person. I mean that in the most innocent way possible. Honestly. I love each sense for very different reasons, sight, sound, smell, taste. You're constantly being surrounded by moments to sit around and enjoy the simple and beautiful pleasures of your senses. People get so caught up in doing, doing, doing that they forget to just stop and simply "be."

Since I have been here in Oklahoma my senses have been on a field day. Different things to hear and see and smell. Unfortunately, there is one sense I feel I took for granted while I was home, the one sense that hasn't been getting so much attention, and one sense I love so terribly much.

Pop quiz, which sense did I NOT mention in the first paragraph? ... Hint, it's the title of this blog.

When I was younger and I'd go shopping with mom and get bored quickly. I remember walking around behind her touching all the different materials, comparing how some were soft and some where textured. Funny how some things don't change. I do the exact same things, maybe more-so now. Anyway, I remember hiding between the racks and sitting there, the sounds of the mall were muffled by the layers of clothes and the lights were blocked out. I could sit and touch every shirt sleeve in sight without having to keep moving. I could savor every single texture. Of course, I lost sight of Mom many times because of those adventures, thank heavens she had a bell on her key chain that I could follow after to find her again.

My blanket is proof of my love of all things soft, that blue blanket [my bu bankie] was like butter between my fingers. I love soft things in general I guess, especially on me, soft lips, smooth legs, buffed feet, silky hands. I am perpetually covered in lotion. Oh, yes, I have quite the skin regiment.

I love a hot shower. It is one of my most favorite things. I love the feel of hot water on my back, of the light pressure from every drop. I love the sensation of pulling back the curtain to feel the steam escape around me and cool air to fill my lungs. I LOVE a good shower. You can clear your head, say some solid prayers, and literally [as well as figuratively] wash away the day's grime. It's a fresh start.

So you get the picture right? I love the sense of touch. Maybe my nerve endings are on higher alert than the normal person, who knows! Being here has made me appreciate that sense more though. Kisses and hugs [especially from Mom, she gives the best hugs, she's the perfect height], a soft puppy on my lap, a solid high five, a comforting stroke or pat from a friend, the feeling of water rushing around me in the pool. So easy to overlook and so hard not to miss. And I do miss those simple joyous pleasures.

When I come home, all I'm going to say is this: I expect hugs, and lots of them. MYLYB