Oladeni Cecilia O.
3 min readFeb 24, 2023

COMFORTING HANDS

"Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours. "
-Vera Nazarian

I read an article recently here on Medium about hands holding love, and it resonated deeply with me. For many years, I had a problem with accepting help from outstretched hands because of awful past experiences. However, I have had a few moments in my life when I lost the will to live and the only thing that kept me going was the hand that held me.

Like when I was molested and nobody believed me because sex was not involved. I was just a little over 14, innocent, and full of life. I saw my whole world crumbling down and not even my parents knew how bad it was for me. But as stifling as that was, there was a hand that held me; reassuring me that I am more than what has been done to me.

Years back when my dad had a misunderstanding with my mom and decided to leave us one night, it was like a nightmare to me. I wasn't close to either of my parents but I couldn't accept the reality of their separation. For the second time in my short existence, I was emotionally scarred. That night, I was super scared and needed to cry but the tears weren't forthcoming. In the midst of this ache, there was someone who left every other thing to hold me. I wasn't offered money, food, or motivation. Just a hand but it was more than sufficient as it kept me alive.

All along our life's journey, God comforts us by sending those that understand our pains along our paths per season. These people communicate with us based on our unique circumstances. They enlighten our hearts to the acceptance of our reality and how this can fuel our passion for survival even amidst the jungle we may find ourselves.

Oftentimes, too many people are struggling and dying of loneliness. The world is hard as it is, regardless rendering a comforting hand can make it a better place for everyone.

Early last year, I had an important presentation and upon getting to the stage, I forgot everything I had rehearsed due to stage fright. I was mad at myself and at the point of breaking down into tears, a hand held me, gently squeezed my hand, and said "you’ve got this". I couldn’t even ask for the name, but how can I possibly forget this stranger who held me when I needed it the most?

Every time life throws things at me, there's this hand that holds mine in hers tightly and says "you will always find a sister and a friend in me."

Experiencing pain and failure is an integral part of life. We don’t always get to have happy days with perfect weather and endless successes. There are tough times and of course, during these difficult times, it is nice to have some comfort. Whether it’s from a friend, a family member, or even a stranger, we need to find strength in their care and affection.

This, of course, is to the hands that held me when life started with me and also to the hands that are still holding me. I hope I grow to accept more hands and also become the hand that holds the pieces of others together.