The Power of Touch

Story from a book I am reading about Job titled, 
"A Man of Heroic Endurance- Job" 

written by Charles R. Swindoll  

"I will never forget reading about the tragedy that struck a family of one child.  The mother died abruptly and early in the child's life.  The father and the daughter were suddenly left with only the memory of this wonderful wife and mother.  Their grief and sorrow went deep.  The night following the funeral, as the father tucked his daughter in bed, his heart went out to her, seeing that she was fighting back tears.  And he decided that he would move a cot in there.  He pulled it up close beside his daughter's bed, and they soon feel asleep.  In the middle of the night, he heard her crying.  And he called her name.  Through her tears she said, "Daddy, it's just so hard.  I just miss her so much."  Fighting back his own tears, he reached over and took her hand.  She said, "Oh, that's so much better."  And then she put her hand on his shoulder and on his chest.  Wanting to comfort her he said, "You know, sweetheart, we have the Lord to lean on." She said, "I know that, Daddy...but tonight I just need someone with skin on." 

When I was in severe depression, sometimes all I needed was someone to hug me.  The family learned that they couldn't fix the depression but they could give me a hug and reassure me that I was loved.  At times it would instantly calm my anxiety and help me not feel so alone.  It seemed that a physical strength immediately transferred from their body to mine. I think that that solution to my situation at times felt like too simple of an answer to Brent.  It didn't make sense to him.  I am thankful that he has learned how critical it can be for me.  Sometimes I am able to ask him to hug me, but other times he is able to sense that is what I need.  We have come so far in understanding what I need in order to stay healthy and well.  Thanks and love to Brent for sticking with me long enough for us to come out on the other side.  We still have a lifetime of bipolar to live with, but now we are in it together.