Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Touch...

The sense of touch is difficult to write about. Some things have a distinct taste about them, smell pungent or sweet or anything in between and look a certain way. Sounds can evoke emotions and cause anxiety; each of the senses can be a tool of seduction or terror. My recent interviews with a woman who spent some time in prison brought many memories out of the simple sounds of a dripping tap, the clamber of keys and the wardens footsteps.

Touch is all of these and more. It is also a new word on my nieces lips.

"Touch" she said with curiosity, when she wanted to stroke the sheep in the backyard yesterday. "Touch" she said in earnest, when she wanted to kiss my aunt's baby. "Touch" she repeated with glee just now when she sat on my lap in front of my pc because we were looking at stock images of birdiiiieeeessss :)

And with the essence of touch, we managed to groom her from whole palms treating the keyboard like the drums of a rockstar to her using one or two delicately poised fingertips on the touchpad, just after I aligned the cursor arrow on the 'next' button. She waited with her hands in the air; watched my fingers intently, and then touched the touchpad ever so lightly until the next piccie loaded.
"Hi Birdie!" she squealed each time. Giggles punctuated the delight in her voice.
And then on to the next one again.
Ooooh, I said. This one's so pretty!
"So, pwettyyyy," she giggled.
Hmm. Next up, an owl.
"WhooOooo!" she said; her eyes widening with the drama of the large eyed bird.
And then to accent her distaste:
"Tata, Whooo!" she signaled both to the imposing bird and to me.
Lol. Moving on :P

Of course, the sounds in the kitchen have distracted her and so she's tottered off in that direction. Which gives me some time to write again ;) But I miss her antics, so instead of getting back to the manuscript, I am writing a tribute to her...
And to the things that she teaches me. She's a wise little one, that. She reminds me of her mother...

When we were growing up, Dilshaad was the voice of reason to my acts of daring. She was the nurturing, caring epitome of sisterhood. And she continues to be this warm and loving soul. I guess that people touch our lives in various ways, reminding us of that innate ability that we have to heal each other with compassion. It is that same compassionate nature that we are able to dig up in the most adverse situations that remind us of an energy of humanity that extends beyond the warring and destruction around the world.

We need to be reminded.

We need to touch and be touched; to feel the tingling of our senses when we are reminded of our power to do great things. To feel the rush of energy that makes us want to be a better person and then some. To be inspired because someone believes in us; because we believe in them. And because we believe in us.

It takes a touch. A word. A care. It takes sharing. And forgiving. And loving the human in us in spite of, and because of everything that we do and are. I am touched everyday by the sheer wonder of it all.

My heart is filled and emptied and filled again.

My soul is full.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

you have set the chords of my heart on fire!
Dil Dance Maare girl. like seriously! touch me touch me! :P
see...
thank you

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

LOL... whooohooo! I was singing this song just now after reading the post out loud to my sis :P

yea, im vain like that! lol. anyway im gna be singing all day.... 'oh zarra zarra touch me, touch me, touch me!' ;)

Anonymous said...

I am touched every time that I read what you write about Ms Shafs.

JT

Az said...

Wow Miss Shafs...I echo JT's sentiments, you do touch our hearts with your writing...

Your niece sounds like a gem :D

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

thanks folks. i have humbling moments when i just can't write or see the greatness in things. and when i am brought face to face with my weaknesses. but then even vulnerability is a strength i have yet to master.

as for madeeha, she's nothing short of praiseworthy; as her name suggests! :P

i feel blessed when i see how she delights in every new thing she experiences...

Saaleha Idrees Bamjee said...

I was broody through a few of your paragraphs, but I'm back to me now:)

Thanks for the top-up:)

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

aw. broody is a good word :)
its girls like u n me who will be sure to keep a pregnancy journal. zesty makes the most of the happy hormone inspirations!

ah,ur welcome!

Khadija said...

we are blessed for the sense of touch and for the kids that fill our lives reminding us of life's little pleasures.

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

blessed, indeed! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Just beautiful Shafs!

I'm also touched! As always :)

Anonymous said...

well... i'm all for touching...AND looking....ok, enough of my sassiness.... great post as always... your niece is the cream on da cats whiskas : )

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

gg/: ur Beautiful my dear sweet friend.

cc/: lol... she is she is! strawberries and cream she is...
thanks for the chapter crit; hope u soaking up the sunshine for me and not tripping over the vaalies on your beachfront :P

Saaleha said...

thoughtful, though provoking post. Lovely!

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

ta, lady :) loved your new post!

Sofi said...

Oh man, i wish i could write as well as, or even like, you !!

Your sis should be proud of such a tribute to her and her daughter. :)

you definitely touch people with your writing..keep it up; the touching that is! ;-)

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

thanks u, sweet sofi :)

there are more ways than words, you kno... :P