I love holding hands.

When my kids were little I used to love, I mean really love holding their hands.

I still remember the day when my son said he didn’t want to hold my hand anymore. It was a Monday morning and we were on our way to school. I remember quietly walking alongside him, a giant void between us.

He was six and I was heartbroken.

Luckily I’m married to a man who likes to hold my hand. Connection is really important to me and two occasions specifically stand out where hand holding placed a bookmark in my memories.

The first was our wedding day.

We held hands from the minute I joined him at the front of the church. I remember afterwards people saying how cute it was that we held hands throughout the service and what a great idea it was. It wasn’t planned – it just felt natural.

The second was the night my brother died.

I came home in the early hours of the morning after the longest day of my life and fell into bed. We held hands as we slept. No words necessary.

Holding hands for me induces a feeling of safety and comfort but not everyone feels the same. As a therapeutic play worker I see many children with sensory issues, so I understand the power of touch. Some need their space and cannot bear to be touched. Some however need sensory stimulation: to stroke things, twist things, shake things and pop things. To some, nothing is more soothing than silky sand pouring through their fingers.

Whether you seek sensory stimulation or avoid it – the most sensitive parts of your body are literally at your fingertips.

I have such gratitude for my  hands – as well as holding hands, I can paint, blow kisses at loved ones,  give hugs, wave, clap in celebration, eat, write and type, lift weights, do yoga, hold handbags (and cocktail glasses!), paint my nails and stroke my little dog.

Hands are pretty fabulous really. My life wouldn’t be the same without them.

Tell me, how amazing are your hands?

PS. It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these posts – if you’d like to find out more fun facts about me; check out my series Things you need to know about me.