TOUCH | Page 8

Compassionate touch has transformed my life on so many levels; however its impact has resonated most profoundly in my relationship with my daughter: My family! FOSTERING FAMILY BONDS Through COMPASSIONATE TOUCH THE PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF Josephine Piazza After 13 years with my husband, business partner and the father of my children, we parted amicably to evolve into a family that lives apart from each other. Today, my stepson is 18 and my daughter 7 years old. At first, the pain of losing the touch of an overly affectionate man (and his equally affectionate son) was the most bitter-sweet to pain to live. The feelings of withdrawal from this kind of physical comfort brought forth a myriad of emotions, which found their way into expression in some part of my body. My body was processing the grief and it was speaking to me in the language of pain. My feet seemed to be great fortune tellers for what my emotions were churning. Amazing how the human organism is chock-full of innate knowledge for finding its natural balance. It is a great teacher if we are ready to listen to its subtle messages. As I embarked on this new less-touchy path, I realized that I began to withdraw from touch; even from my daughter. I missed her dad and brother so much that it hurt in my heart to feel the depth of her hug fore it had me remember theirs.