Finding One’s Voice and Touch….

I want to introduce my readers to two very important people. They are the grandchildren of two of our dearest friends. They just arrived into this crazy world a few days ago. These two will face some immediate challenges as they come on board. They were born prematurely.

Meet Landon who weighed a whopping 3 lbs and 2.5 oz and the petite Avery who upon arrival weighed in at 2 lbs and 6.5 oz.

They are so small that a wedding ring could slide up their arm to their shoulder. Neonatal experts tell us that there is typically a 10% chance of survival for newborns that are born this small and premature. We all celebrate the fact that Landon and Avery are strong, doing well, and appear to be on target to exceed the odds and live long, productive, and happy lives. When you scrub up for visits to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), guests are often taken back by the many tubes and machines that connect a needy new born. There are often IVs in the navel and feet, monitors on each side of the child’s chest and a respirator/feeding tube in the child’s mouth.

The medical staff working with the children tells parents that it is vital for these newborns to hear you and feel your touch. They encourage parents and guardians to carefully caress the child while telling the child over and over how much you love them. It is essential that a newborn fighting for their very existence hear this affirmation and feel the touch. They have to be able to connect the voice of their parents with their touch.

I just spent a couple of minutes reflecting on that medical recommendation. It offers a valuable life principle…touch them and speak to them. The potential impact and encouragement that we offer our fellow human beings is not just centered in our voice but in our touch as well. Could it be that the secret to becoming a great parent, grandparent, neighbor and leader is found in recognizing the need to always connect one’s voice and one’s touch. When the two become one…something special is present.