Feeling a Touch: Tactile ADCs
People who have a very close physical and emotional relationship recognize the distinctive and familiar touch of their family member or friend. You may feel your loved one touch you with his or her hand, or place an arm around your shoulders or back or waist, for comfort and reassurance. You may feel a tap, a pat, a caress, a stroke, a kiss, or even a hug. These are all forms of affection, nurturing, and love.
Sample Stories
Rosemary, a nurse in Ontario, Canada, felt a distinctive touch after her 12-year-old son, Mark, died from a playground accident:
The summer after my son died, I was standing at the patio door looking out at our backyard. I was reflecting on a time when Mark was quite young.
All of a sudden, Mark put his hand on my left shoulder. It was a very light, gentle touch. I had a sense of being enveloped in something warm and comfortable. I got a very serene feeling. It was the first time I almost felt at peace since he died.
The feeling lasted for a good five or ten minutes. I just stood there because I didn’t want to let it go.
I knew Mark was okay and was looking out for me. It confirmed for me that my son still exists – somewhere.
The summer after my son died, I was standing at the patio door looking out at our backyard. I was reflecting on a time when Mark was quite young.
All of a sudden, Mark put his hand on my left shoulder. It was a very light, gentle touch. I had a sense of being enveloped in something warm and comfortable. I got a very serene feeling. It was the first time I almost felt at peace since he died.
The feeling lasted for a good five or ten minutes. I just stood there because I didn’t want to let it go.
I knew Mark was okay and was looking out for me. It confirmed for me that my son still exists – somewhere.
Paul, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army, lives in Florida. He received gentle reassurance after his 14-year-old son, Keith, died in an automobile accident:
After my son’s funeral, we started to leave the cemetery. My mother was driving the car, and my wife was sitting alongside of her. I was sitting alone in the back seat.
I felt Keith’s presence at my left side. He put his arm over my shoulder and kept it there as we rode all the way back to our house. I could feel his body pressing up against me, and I could feel his warmth beside me. I detected that everything was all right. I got a peaceful, quiet, and comforting feeling.
This lasted about twenty minutes, until we got to the driveway, and then Keith was gone. I have no doubt whatsoever. I’m absolutely sure that this happened!
After my son’s funeral, we started to leave the cemetery. My mother was driving the car, and my wife was sitting alongside of her. I was sitting alone in the back seat.
I felt Keith’s presence at my left side. He put his arm over my shoulder and kept it there as we rode all the way back to our house. I could feel his body pressing up against me, and I could feel his warmth beside me. I detected that everything was all right. I got a peaceful, quiet, and comforting feeling.
This lasted about twenty minutes, until we got to the driveway, and then Keith was gone. I have no doubt whatsoever. I’m absolutely sure that this happened!