A Touch, Better
a warm hug, a caring hand
As the year draws to a close, there is a natural turning toward reflection—toward gatherings with those close to us, and reaching out to those in need. It is a season for handshakes, for holding hands, for being warmed by a hug.
In Fremantle, you may find yourself embraced by a stranger. A hug can arrive as easily as the French cheek kiss—almost ordinary, and yet never quite so. I am a fan of a good hug. The kind that carries warmth and loving presence, where something genuine passes between two people. Hugs without heart are felt as exactly that, and I tend to decline them. If the presence isn’t there, no thank you.
A hand, too, can speak volumes. Especially with those we don’t know well—a gentle touch on the arm, a soft hand on the back, the simple offering of a hand in a moment that matters. I often notice people’s hands as much as their smiles. Hands tell stories—of work and health, of age and care, of what has been done and what has been endured. For palmistry enthusiasts, even the lifeline has its say.
I have spent time assisting a hand surgeon reconnect nerves and vessels, and as a GP suturing countless hand injuries. Watching the surgeon work with the smallest of tools under magnification is a humbling reminder of just how delicate these structures are. And yet, with these same hands, we create, nurture, express, and care. They hold art, form, comfort, and life itself.
Hands, indeed, to be handled with care—pun intended.
So here I am, sending a virtual hug to all my readers who have supported my weekly essays and care about The Gentle Kind. Thank you for your time, your presence, and your thoughtful feedback. This year has been one of transition, and of settling into calmer waters.
May the year ahead meet you with warmth, connection, and moments of gentle belonging.
♡✋🏽