Author's note: This blog entry was started on the night of March 7th, and finished on the morning of March 8th.
Tonight Daniel and I had a really, really long conversation. We didn't really talk about anything spesific; just general "what's going on in your life" type stuff. That's the really cool thing about the few people like Daniel that I have in my life; anything goes. Not only that, but there's a sense of comfort in being able to connect with people like him.
Very early on in our conversation tonight, I showed him another blog I had done earlier today. That blog had to do with my thoughts, feelings, wants, desires, and needs in regards to nonclinical touch. When he finished reading it, he said it was "excellent", and that he was "proud of me"!!!!! That in itself meant a WHOLE LOT!!!! 
It also got me thinking about a conversation we had a long time ago. Somehow, during the course of that conversation, we got on this subject of nonclinical touch, and its importance. At some point during the whole thing, he made a comment that at that time I didn't put much thought into. Reflecting on it now however, I can honestly tell all of you that it means a whole lot to me. He said, "I won't be friends with a female unless I can hold her hand. I think it shows trust." He's so right, in so many ways. There's pretty much nothing I wouldn't give to just simply have my hand held at this point. The fact that he has no qualms about saying that he wants to be able to hold a female's hand, says a lot about the type of person he is, and it makes me smile!
If there's one thing I want everyone to think about, no matter if you're disabled or not, it would be this: being able to escape in the warmth of someone else's touch, no matter who it is, and even if it's just for a few brief moments, can mean the world!!! Sometimes, even if someone is having the worst day ever, if they can get a hug from someone, anyone, their whole day will be brighter! Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever underestimate the power of a hug or a handhold. I can promise you they will both go farther than you ever dreamed!!!