Went outside this morning and sat in the swing for a little while. Still don’t feel well and the heat and humidity were just to much. Did notice, though, the beautiful sunny sky and the fluffy bleached white clouds courtesy of Father Sky. Saw a beautiful little purple finch drinking and bathing in the bird bath. His splishes and splashes put a smile on my face. Mother Nature sent the song birds to cheer me and give me comfort in God’s world.

We all have objects in our lives that comfort us when we’re sad or lonely or don’t feel well. I have had the worse stomach virus. I was lying in the bed last night sad and lonely and sick, wishing I could see Chief sitting in my reading chair by my bedside while I was drifting off to sleep. His presence always gave me comfort. When I worked in the day care world I would catch a stomach virus from the children and I’d sleep in Rosie’s room so I wouldn’t make Chief sick. Many times he’d come and check on me asking if I needed anything and he’d sit down in the chair by the bed and watch the news. Always felt better in his presence. He was always a source of comfort to me.

When we are dealing with anxiety or stress or grief we find solace in certain comfort objects. These objects reinforce a feeling of safety and security in hard times. When I was in college a homemade quilt always made me feel better when I wrapped up in it. A little bit of “at home love” comforted me in that quilt. I sucked my thumb till was 12 years old, so I think I certainly found comfort in my thumb. My children grew up with stuffed animals and blankets and pacifiers for their comfort objects. My porch swings and my reading chair are comfort things in my world.

We also need human connection for comfort. A warm hug, a true smile, a pat on the back help us to feel safe and to cope with stress. I had the flu as a teenager with a raging fever. My feet were so cold my daddy sat on the end of my bed and warmed my feet with his callused hands. Such a beautiful act of comfort for me. I still remember the warmth of his hands.

Comfort can be expressed in words, too. Sometimes all we really need from a friend is knowing that they’re there for us no matter what. We find comfort in knowing we can safely express our feelings to them. Just sitting next to someone and not talking can be a calm source of compassion and comfort.

And don’t forget the great comfort we find in prayer and in our faith in God. Could not have lived through the deaths of my husband and daughter without my faith that comforted me in knowing we would be together again at the end of my life.

We all seek comfort when life gets tough. Research says a comfort response “increases relaxation, slows breathing, stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal, reduces stress hormones, decreases pain and suffering, lowers blood pressure, and enhances energy.” So we needn’t feel bad when we reach for that stuffed animal, or favorite coffee cup, or quilt, or our beloved dogs and cats. Whatever your comfort object is, hold it tight and be grateful for its comfort. Let me know what comforts you.

“Your angels are giving you strength and comfort right now,” — Doreen Virtue