Touch

As religious, we barely touch another person.  At the most we shake hands, and perhaps, once in a way, embrace someone as a sign of welcome or a birthday greeting or at a farewell.  That's it.  On a regular basis we do not really touch anyone.  

I understand that this is part of our state of life.  It is also something directly related to our vow of celibacy.  And in a growing world of misconceptions and misinterpretations, where there is a lot of 'bad touch' and sensuality doing the rounds, there is every chance that any touch or move is misunderstood. 

Nonetheless, in a family things are different.  All the more if there are small children in the family.  They are all over you.  And they should be!  Bereft of that simple but profound element of touch, children do not grow up normal.  

Perhaps, as children we need to touch and feel the most. As adults it is much less. Luckily! Or else, if much of good touch is needed for an adult to grow, we religious would be the most stunted people - by way of missing out on being able to physically touch others.