Touch

Touch

Message
Message

It is not something I have any complete understanding of, but for some reason I recognize the touch of my friends and what may be affecting them. It often comes in the form of a subtle whisper. I have found that if I shut the heck up and just listen, the process applies quite dramatically in my work. I will experience new things as a result. That affects what I communicate to the world.  It changes my perception, as the imprint broadens who and what I am. I need that. My life would be cold porridge without it.

Last night at dinner, Donna and our friends Violeta and Korina were discussing travel and the ups and downs of the process. Sometimes we can be made to become quite uncomfortable by our situations and surroundings. Korina had just returned from Bali and been suffering a bit due to jetlag, culture crossover, and a few intermittent bouts with Bali Belly (the term for all ailments alimentary). She said something very wise. “I have learned that when I travel, it is not just about my experience. It is about the experience of the people who I meet, and the impression that I leave with them”. Touch. There it was. To have it, you must give it. You give when listening. Her wonderful blog is here.

As I work through the tremendous amount of post production from our Balinese trip, I am constantly reminded of how listening allows us forms of contact with a world we would normally never see, hear, taste or feel. I see exactly what I was listening to as I ply the pixel waters of this huge ass file. And I remember what the touch felt like.

The last couple days I had been having a persistent tapping on my shoulder. A close friend had been on my mind and heart. I finally had left a voice mail on her phone.  Her cel was off, as it always is when she is working. I left a short message, something that I never do. She does not need a voice mail box full of hellos. She would know what it meant.  I would hear from her. I knew something hard had come down on her shoulders.

Shawn Alladio was working running rescue at the IJSBA World PWC racing Championships. She had been deathly ill prior. A bout with meningitis and a post illness bacterial infection had almost killed her.  Better just in time. Just.

Her team had flown in from around the world to work the phenomenally high risk event, where boats become rockets, guided by adrenalized, amazingly skilled athletes with nervous systems and skills that are beyond the ken of the uninitiate. I knew that she was in great hands at the venue at Lake Havasu, and that K38 would do it’s job well.

In working with Shawn, we are all tutored on how to be in times of great stress and death. We learn how to touch, care, and offer comfort when comfort and touch are all that is left to give. Bad things sometimes happen in spite of the best laid plans and training.

Her text was on my phone this morning. Summarized it said: ‘Had a fatal today. A friend died in my arms. Blunt force trauma.’ With those simple words, the scene I already knew about unfolded, and I felt what Shawn had in greater detail.

The story of the incident is right here. Who the man was is quite vital. I am so glad that Shawn was there for him. He knew that he was loved as his time came.

Shawn has penned something about the incident from her point of view. Read it here. Whew!

This beautiful example of touch was passed to me today by Donna Von Hoesslin. It best exemplifies how we ought to be as communicators: touched. I do not necessarily agree with all of the lecturers. The video says it best. We are all in this together. If you have never heard of Bioneers, the lectures can be quite remarkable and well worth your time.

As he typically does, Seth Godin writes well of the responsibility that comes with being a communicator.

Touch. It is what makes us better than human. Are you listening? Did you feel that?

Paradox
Paradox
Anchored: Jeanette
Anchored: Jeanette
Adrift
Adrift

puua0888

Shawn Alladio: K38 Rescue
Shawn Alladio: K38 Rescue
Shawn and Cesare
Shawn and Cesare
Listen, Touch, Breathe
Listen, Touch, Breathe
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Feargus

David, Love paradox really really great shot.

Ventego

I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.

Shawn Alladio

Cesare Vismara.
#1 SRB Pro Am Runabout Champion.
36 years of age, a wild boy with an appreciation of the female persuasion. A passionate love affair with Moto d’ Aqua. He found his stride in competition where he could give his personal best regardless of the life he lived, on the racetrack Cesare had to earn his positions.

I think that is why he loved racing so much. It was earned, not gifted.

When Ben Granata and I rolled into Havasu, Cesare sped up and pulled alongside blowing kisses. We had a connection. His team is deeply saddened. His family’s grief is severe, we pray for them.

We arrived on the 6th of October, we saw one another every day. Squeezing my arm, planting kisses and hugs, he was always on the fringe of our moments.

A premonition arrived during training. I pushed my team very hard at the race, daily pushing and driving them to excellence. When the accident happened, we moved forward, I drove into head on race traffic, blocked for his body but I knew he was dying even before I touched hiim. I held him on the rescue board saying prayers for him and talking to him as a friend, a lover, a sister, a mother, as one.

We worked hard on Cesare in his final moments but God called him home. And I thank God for taking him and not leaving him as less of the man we loved.

We are all witnesses of life. I am his and he is mine.

God bless the Vismara Family.

The mystery of life offers us one consolation. When we are born the pain of the mother and child is one of wonder and grievous pain, once united all is forgotten in the moment of release. We celebrate the life in front of us with amazement, suprise and great pride and affection.

I believe death is the reversal of the same process. The pain we are united in his loss and in all lossess is celebrated in our life lived well. Live Well and move forward. Earn your death by the measure of how you live your life.

Thank you David, this is very touching, you are a great and loved friend. You have a big heart.

I love you.

Mike Arnold

David
Thanks for the story. Some people have a way with words to make it all fit. And you are one of them my friend. What you see is a prospective captured for all to see .

Claudia Ewers

Shawn shared this blog with me today……I was brought to soulful tears by the story and the LIFE messages within in…..the photography and word presentation are both beautiful——-I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Cesare, but it sounds like he earned his death by living well and died in good hands, too……….Shawn’s message is beautiful too—-truly words to both ponder and absorb——-David and Shawn, I was touched enough to want to pop off this message at this time to affirm you and just to say please keep up your good work—–you inspire and truly make a positive difference on this planet….

DK

wow. read both blogs. what a powerful, moving story, a flash-in-the-pan ending to a young, vibrant life. this IS the therapy group pu’u. this story-telling and grieving in public with words and images is just amazing. I carry part of the sadness though I never knew him. Touch is/was an amazing gift, especially given at such moments.

Kiley Ki

Beautiful blog. And touching.

Claudia Ewers

Shawn shared this blog with me today……I was brought to soulful tears by the story and the LIFE messages within in…..the photography and word presentation are both beautiful——-I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Cesare, but it sounds like he earned his death by living well and died in good hands, too……….Shawn’s message is beautiful too—-truly words to both ponder and absorb——-David and Shawn, I was touched enough to want to pop off this message at this time to affirm you and just to say please keep up your good work—–you inspire and truly make a positive difference on this planet….

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