Simply holding hands 3

 in January 2022: Holding Hands / Radio Scripts  tagged #lettinggo / growth / independence / parenting by

I love holding hands. It makes me feel a deep sense of connection, care and belonging. And it’s an action that can say so much.

When I took the hands of my children, I was telling them…

I love you.

You can trust me.

I will keep you safe.

I am your forever mum.

And when they were small, most often they responded so eagerly. They too loved the sense of connection and safety. They would hold on tight as if their life depended on it. And sometimes it did!

Until the days arrive when they wanted to go it alone and holding hands felt like a loss of independence. So, they pushed me away and gradually I learned to let go and they learned to step forward.

It’s the dance of growing up.

But now those boys are men and at times I find myself longing for the days when holding hands said so much and made me feel so deeply.

Now we make do with words and acts of love but the simplicity of holding hands will never be forgotten.

About Kelley

Kelley is a speaker, author, overseas aid worker and perpetual student. She is passionate about women and gender issues, both in the local and international context, which underpins her enthusiasm for kinwomen and its contribution to women ‘living their finest life’. In 2014 Kelley completed a Masters in International and Community Development before establishing The Foxglove Project. Foxglove is a registered charity focused on supporting international development projects that are sustainable and driven by indigenous leadership. Kelley’s paid work requires her to travel extensively to evaluate and support projects supported by Australian funds. This experience and networking enables Foxglove to partner with outstanding overseas agencies delivering real opportunities for the poor and vulnerable to lead independent self-determined lives. Kelley combines these passions with a love of family and faith. Across more than 30 years of marriage, Kelley and her husband have worked through many of the challenges of building a relationship while raising three sons. Their boys have now finished high school changing the dynamics of family life and relationships. One of her great joys is sharing parenting lessons and learning from good and bad (sometimes disastrous) experiences. She uses humour and common sense to talk about the everyday challenges facing parents in today’s context.

3 thoughts on “Simply holding hands”

  • Eileen Cullen

    You are so right the act of holding someone’s hand communicates so much, whether it’s to comfort or direct a true connection is made. The other day I visited my sister-in -law, she gave me a hand massage, it was wonderful, I left feeling loved and pampered. It is often the small things in life that bring the most joy.

  • Julie Smilkovic

    So true Kelly and something I deeply Connect with. My boys are grown now too and when I remember them
    As little boys who loved sitting on my lap etc I sometimes long for those times again. Now they are big strong men who tower over me and the hugs are the biggest thing for me. We are blessed to be their Mummas are we not ! ?

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