Issue 32.13
Several years ago AT&T had a classic commercial and at the same time encouraged people to use the telephone. “Reach out and Touch Someone” was the catchy phrase that was set to music and extolled the benefits of connecting with family and friends via the telephone. The jingle stuck with me all these years and I often reflect on its wisdom in my roles as a pastor and hospice chaplain.
“Reach out and touch someone” is excellent advice to all of us if we wish to remain connected to folks. Touching someone means really being there for them. Being present. Being our authentic selves. Being willing to share who we truly are. It means not only extending our hand in friendship but also our heart and a listening ear in loving kindness and compassion.
These thoughts came to me after I tried to comfort a bereaved widow who had lost her husband to cancer. They had been married many years and had a close and warm relationship. Now she was feeling all alone and grieving her loss. She indicated she had good support from her local church and she appreciated that very much. Members would often visit and bring her food. They were very kind in fulfilling their roles as good caring church members. However, they really didn’t “touch” her where she was hurting the most and wanted to be touched.
She stated she was thankful for what they did. However, she told me what she really wanted and felt she needed in her time of grieving was for someone to extend their hand and heart in friendship and invite her to dinner so she didn’t have to face the loneliness of missing her partner at meal times. She wanted someone to “reach out and touch her” in a loving and personal way.
We can make a difference in people’s lives when we take the time to “reach out and touch someone” in very simple ways such as making a phone call, sharing a meal together, extending an invitation to a movie/event, or taking time to listen to someone so we can respond to what they really want for support.
Is there someone in your circle of influence who needs you to reach out and touch them in a loving and caring way? Reaching out and touching someone can change their life and perhaps yours too.
To obtain more information about hospice and bereavement services, contact David Isom or Debbie Cox at 634-9300 in St. George and Lisa Ross at 635-9300 in Hurricane.
Rev. Luigi Persichetti is the spiritual counselor for Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice and retired Unity minister from Unity Center of Positive Living in St. George.