I took a linguistic class in college about how people used words and under what category they get grouped in. The homework in that class revolved around taking a word (e.g. heart) and finding different use of the word in sentences. Going with the heart example, we will have the sentences "The buses all go to the heart of the city","My heart is broken", and "His heart is in good health". Each usage of the word heart meaning different things. In this case, the center of the city, a figure of speech for one's emotion, and a vital blood-pumping organ.

Anyways, all these thought came about today when I thought to myself "I want to be touched", and I had to go back and reanalyze what I meant when I thought that. "touch". There's so many definitions that simple word. 16 as a verb, 17 as a noun according to dictionary.com.

Touch can mean physical contact. I definately miss affection. I don't mean sex. I mean affection, a tender gesture. A simple hug, the act of someone putting their arms around me is comforting. So I wasn't surprise to find out that the physical act of touching has therapeutic impacts on people.

" Research demonstrates that touch has a powerful impact on physical and mental health throughout the lifespan. In the form of massage, it "...helps asthmatics breathe easier, boosts immune function in HIV-positive patients, improves autistic children's ability to concentrate, and lowers anxiety in depressed adolescents..." (Colt, 1997, p. 58). " - read more here.

So maybe I meant I want physical affection. But then I thought about it some more.

Touch can mean an emotional contact. I miss that too. I miss the emotional intimacy two people can have with one another. The ability to be open and vulnerable but at the same time comfortable. Humans are pack animals. We rely on relationships to keep us going. Contrary to "letting oneself go" when married, married couples are actually healthier. Chances are you'll live longer if you're married than not, assuming the marriage is happy of course.

In all liklihood I meant both physical and emotional. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much. In any case, when was the last time you were touched?