By Jeanette M. Pintar - with inspiration from Misty

Misty didn't receive a lot of gifts during the nine years that we had her. She had a few toys she enjoyed, but she wasn't "spoiled rotten." However, she did both give and receive one very valuable gift… the gift of touch! Misty learned that she was loved through the gentle pets and "scritches" we gave her on a regular basis. And we knew that she loved us by the way she would nuzzle her head into our hands, rub up against our legs, brush her head against our cheeks, and purr up a quiet storm as she curled herself up into a ball on our laps or laying next to us. If Mark or I were feeling down, Misty would come up and make a point of touching us in her special kitty ways. If we were arguing, Misty would place herself between us, and purr, prompting both of us to pet her, quickly neutralizing our anger or hurt with love. Without speaking a word, Misty had a very special, very loving, and very healing presence in our home by giving us one simple gift… the gift of her touch.

There's a lot to be said about the gift of touch. And Mark and I have both learned to incorporate this simple, inexpensive, amply abundant gift into our relationship. There have been many instances where tensions were high and Mark would make a point to stop whatever he was doing or saying to give me a hug. Instead of feeling defensive or the need to argue my point further, I would feel loved. Not only did I feel loved, but I felt that our love was more important to Mark than the need to continuing arguing. Just like Misty, he had learned to neutralize it with love. On my good days, I can do this, too, but I'm still learning. It's not easy to drop our defenses to give a loving gift of touch, but the rewards of simply holding someone's hand, giving a hug, or caressing a cheek are plentiful. And best of all, you don't have to wait until you need to make amends to give this wonderful gift. In fact, it's most effective when you offer it on a regular basis. Don't worry about running out either, this gift automatically renews itself at your whim.

--- © Jeanette M. Pintar, Inspired by Misty