By Karen Williams

“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.” This quote by Vera Nazarian, author of The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration, makes me think about my mom. She held my hand to cross the street. I have pictures of her as a young mother with three small children, one in the stroller and the other two holding on to the sides of the stroller. 

As we got older, my brothers and I held hands to walk to elementary school, to go to the park, to run away from bullies and through the fields. I remember my dad holding my hand to take me to the candy store where he bought Pall Mall cigarettes and got me a super-large soft peppermint out of the jar in the window. Holding hands was always a part of the journey with my family.

I can't help but notice that holding hands has lost some of its popularity, particularly with younger parents and their children. I was in a mall recently—yes, I hate to admit that I go to the mall—and the average family consisted of adults walking side by side, talking on the phone or texting, with children straggling behind them... way behind them. I was scared for the youngsters, that's how far behind the adults they were. I wanted to shout out, “Hold their hands!” However, I didn't want to sound like a crazed woman-of-a-certain age who wasn't minding her own business.

Holding hands is a symbol of togetherness in a society that increasingly makes us feel alone.

Yet, it feels like my business in that “We Are The World” kinda way that a global perspective demands. When and where I grew up, children belonged to the neighborhood and any adult could speak to us, and feel free to dish out reprimands, praise, or warnings. The most popular warnings were to look both ways when crossing the street and to hold hands while crossing. 

I want to yell out to stop texting and watch your children, to hold their hands in public places to keep them from running off or getting lost in the crowd. Yet, it's hard for me to get anyone's attention to issue warnings since faces are pointed down towards electronic devices, not upwards to meet and greet my anxious or disapproving eyes. And hands holding phones are not available to hold hands of lovers, friends, or errant children.

So let's start over, begin a journey of togetherness. Let's hold hands. It's tender and touching and meaningful and safe. There's something warm and wonderful about feeling a small hand in mine, peering down into a face filled with love and trust. Okay, if that's a little too corny, let's think protection. It's practical to hold hands; makes the young ones feel safe and connected, older folks feel secure, and lovers feel more in love. 

Holding hands is a symbol of togetherness in a society that increasingly makes us feel alone. “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is one of my favorite songs. Since we're on this journey together, let's create the intimacy we long for and hold each other's hands. It's worth a try! 

For more information, go to www.sgi-usa.org or contact her at karenwilliamscomic@gmail.com