Touch, The Fifth

Life isn’t always the proverbial bowl of cherries.

Sometimes, it is lonely and maybe just a bit frightening especially when it suddenly takes an unexpected spiral downward.

That is precisely when we reach out to each other; for comfort, for solace and yes, for the cocoon of love.

I am worried now about what will happen when the comfort of another human being’s touch will be declared verboten, not politically correct, not proper, and perhaps soon not even legal.

Will the traditional hugs I give old friends when our paths suddenly cross be a mere memory? What about handshakes? Will they be extinct in years to come? Will we only greet each other through mechanical devices?

I found it interesting this week when a prominent woman used the word “invade” to describe a man’s touch. “Invade,” I believe has a much different connotation that what she suggested. If she were correct, many of us would have been invaded far more often than we can recall.

My happy memories return to the ritual New Year’s Eve kisses as well as finding myself under a mistletoe during festive Christmas parties. And yes, many other friends, both male and female, enjoyed those moments. But invaded?? The word never entered our minds.

A touch, a hug, a quick embrace does not descend to the level of sexual abuse.

Are we rapidly approaching or possibly descending to the level of robots? Will all traces of humanity (touch, tears, possibly taste) be declared extinct in the approaching decades?

And why? Do we blame the “Me, too” movement or is that merely an offspring of another hidden agenda? Is this sudden condemnation emerging from political ambitions of opponents, or perhaps another more sinister source?.

I have never cast a vote for the gentleman currently under attack, nor have I contributed to his political campaigns. While I have followed his career throughout the years, our paths have never crossed. I have listened and read his words, and often been impressed by his ability to relate to other Americans. I felt sorrow when I learned of the tragedies he has endured, but we never spoke..

Yet, sometimes he seems familiar, almost as if at one time our roads had intersected, possibly at a party and perhaps we had shared a laugh or smile together.

Now I admit I find it utterly shameful that at this late stage of an impressive contribution to our country, his reputation is under attack. He is being tarnished for “touching” and being “invasive” in gestures most women until the last decade found normal and usually, quite welcome.

Our world will indeed become colder, sadder and lonelier if the rapid race to eliminate humanity is not quelled asap.

And perhaps a few lessons on the meaning of “invade” could be included before being uttered as an accusation. The human touch does not fall into that category.