"The first emotional comfort, touching and being touched by our mother, remains the ultimate memory of selfless love, which stays with us life long." — Diane Ackerman in A Natural History of the Senses

Hello and welcome, why don't you pull up a chair and we will visit for a while. That, my friend, is a throwback to how it was in my growing up days. That was before social media and cell phones, where people actually sat down and talked to each other face to face on the porch or outside under a shade tree. That came to my mind as I was getting ready to get ready for today, this one, Monday, February 23, 2026.  Fast forward to the age we live in and we converse mainly through texting today. We graduated in large part to not even wanting to actually talk on our cell phone. Here is how it goes with us: "Did you ever talk with them to fix a time for us to get together?" "Well, I sent a text, and, I haven't heard back." See what I mean? In so many ways the old commercial lingo is right, "We've come a long way, baby." And, I am all for progress and as you can tell even in my blogs I am a user of modern technology. At the same time we pretty much have lost touch with the power of a touch, from a human voice or a hug or a pat on the back. Sure, I am well aware that I was born back in the middle of the 1900's and that really does sound ancient in a world where Artificial Intelligence has accelerated change to the extent many say it is moving so fast it's hard to even measure. I'm not saying we should go back to the days like they were when I was young, however, we should never leave behind the things that elevate human caring and interaction. I picked up a lot of my stories from sitting outside the barber shop under the huge Sycamore tree. That's where an older man told me how he accidentally lost control of his ax and pretty much cut off my grandpa's nose. He said my grandpa held it on his face until they could get to Dr. Stephens, the town doctor, where he sewed it up without any deadening and after having it taped up, they went back to work. That's where I heard that story. Sure, I also heard plenty of embellished fishing and hunting accounts where they started off by saying, "Man, you should have been there to see what we were able to do....." I also heard folks sharing some really tough news and saw others shower them with hugs and prayers. Technology, it can be great, however, nothing will ever replace the actual touch that comes from one heart to another. Amen.

 

Dealing with a loved one with mental health issues is about as challenging as it gets. The wife is currently at the emergency room with our Jimmy. Again. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Everyone I know have challenges and that, my friend, is a part of life. I've been around a lot of tragic situations in my sojourn in my family and in dealing with others as well. I often hear this from those dealing with troubles. "I do not know how folks who do not know the Lord can make it when trouble comes." Well, I've learned they do the best they can and because God designed us with fortitude, many make it through. But, it's not the same and I can tell you this about that: I wouldn't want to go it on my own. I am thankful to have God on my side and to know that He will never leave me, and He will never forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5) That promise is one that gives us the strength to make it, each day, that is, one day at a time. Amen.