I've a piece in today's A2 in The Age. It's about my recent stint of ill health, exploring how a humble trio of objects helped me through it.
This is an excerpt about the simple, white stone my husband brought to me while in hospital:
It is cool to pick up at first, but it warms slightly to the touch and sits perfectly in my palm. It’s not in the least skin-like, but it comforts me like holding hands with my husband does. Perhaps it’s got something to do with its weight. It’s easy to forget how much we need everyday physical contact; how the simple act of a kiss on the cheek or an arm around the shoulders can put us at ease: ‘Without touch,’ writes American author Richard Louv, ‘infant primates die.’
Congrats on the article Ruth, will grab a copy tomorrow to read the whole article.
ReplyDeleteThank you, RH. I was very happy (and stunned) to see it actually in print in A2.
ReplyDeletethat is great Ruth, I hope you post it somewhere or a link for the time poor, would love to read. Hurrah from wet Sydney!
ReplyDeleteThanks, GG. I did find a link to it on Fairfax website. Unfortunately, it's just the plain text, and doesn't have the great Davida Allen painting (Mother and baby and hoop pine, 2009) that accompanied the hard copy. I'll post the link in a new blog soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth. I was hooked by the cover image and cover line and then, when I found out it was written by you, I was pleased. A beautiful, thoughtful, touching story. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, BC. And thanks for blogging it too!
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