Holding hands!
Good early morning, friends and family,
It’s 4 a.m., but as always, words are running through my mind and I must climb out of bed, put them down on paper and then climb back in bed to sleep with a smile on my face.
Here’s what has been running through my mind. I hope you like it.
Something “Neat” is happening aboard the new Royal Princess:
Some of you may know that the “original” Royal Princess was the site of the TV show, “The Love Boat”.
Now, it appears perhaps the replacement ship could be called the same. And, it all has to do with holding hands.
I think Neal Diamond says it best in his song, “Sweet Caroline”, when he sings, (and I may not be quoting him accurately), “Hands; holding hands, reaching out, touching you, touching me”.
Since we first met, Carol and I have always held hands, and because of her current problems with her eyesight have made it even more necessary for us to continue this “old fashioned” method of displaying our love for each other, it seems to have become contagious. And, that’s really a “neat” or wonderful thing which seems to be spreading throughout the ship.
Our favorite waiter, Miko and his lovely wife, Ivy, who also works as a waitress, came up to us last night. Ivy smiled as she always does and her eyes were sparkling when she addressed us and said,
“Karl and Carol, we will never forget you”.
We both wondered why, and she told us: “Miko saw you always holding hands and now he holds mine everywhere we go. He used to be too proud to hold my hand, but now we both love it. Thank you”.
Isn’t that a great compliment?
Several other couples have commented on our holding hands in the lounge as we watch the show, and we’ve noticed a lot more of that going on around us. And that gave me an idea.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all held hands? Perhaps the world would be a lot better if we reached out to others.
Remember how warm your mother or father’s hand felt when you were small? And, what about those first puppy love dates when you held hands first and waited for that “first kiss”?
Isn’t it a good feeling when you reach out, take the hand of a good friend, shake it and say, “Hello, how are you”?
I once had a very good friend, Jack Remualdo, who was like a brother to me. Every time Jack would introduce me to someone new, he would say, “This is my friend, Karl. Not just an acquaintance, but a friend”. That was such a great compliment. Think about it.
Jack passed on early in life, but I still remember how warm his hand was when we shook.
Our children grow older, move away and we miss holding their hands, but realize they must go out and make their own way in this world. But it’s always so great to feel their hands in ours when we meet again.
As our days dwindle down here on Mother Earth, I often wonder which of us will go to meet our maker first. No matter who it is, I know the other will still long to feel the hand of his/her partner in life one more time.
But, if you don’t hold that hand now, won’t you miss it just a little bit more when it is no longer available? When that time comes, you’ll kick yourself for not taking the opportunity while it was available.
Thank about it; then before its too late, reach out, touch and then hold the hand of the one you love and let them know you care.
Set an example now and pass it on. You’ll be glad you did.
Love is alive and well aboard the new “Love Boat”. Look at all those people holding hands!
Via con Dias,
Karl & Carol