Thank You For Holding My Hand Posted by Hannah on March 29th, 2010
The last year, I learned what I would consider to be a lot more important than people think. Holding hands isn’t just for couples at all.
When my very best friend in the world, Heather, came to visit in July last year, my beloved cat, Buttercup, had to be put down. She was with us when we had to rush him to the emergency vet. She stayed by my side for hours while we sat there wondering what would be happening to my cat. But before that, we had the 40 minute drive to make. It was torture. Would he even sustain life long enough to make it to the vet? I just remember watching his chest rise and fall and being so terrified and nervous. I had my hand on his carrier and Heather reached and grabbed mine. She held my hand most of that night. She hugged me, she gave me calming words and I can’t begin to describe the feeling of someone holding your hand to comfort you. It’s about a million times better than anything but being held by a boy you’re in love with, as experience has shown me.
The list of people that have held my hand is short. But today, two more were added to that list.
As I’ve mentioned, I was doing an absolutely amazing show called Tartuffe. I love Tartuffe so much and it is definitely the best show I have ever done. I can’t even tell you what our weak link was. We didn’t have one. We were a strong ensemble, strong individually, strong artistically, strong in every way, and friendship was the key to all of that.
Today was our final performance and I had been thinking and thinking about how I would react to everyone leaving and what I would say to each person. I kept thinking, “It’ll be fine! You’ll still see everyone around campus.”
Our beloved and amazing director gave us a speech before warm ups, as did the guy who portrayed my character’s father, Orgon. During those two speeches, I became very emotional. So much so that I put my hand on the girl who played my step-mother, Elmire’s, leg. The women in this cast became a family. Elmire had become a best friend to me and a mother figure in a way. She put her hand down and silently comforted me while tears fell. Eventually, I grabbed the hand of the girl that played my grandmother, Madame, and I noticed that all of the girls were holding hands in the front row together. It made us stronger and able to do the show with the comedy and intensity we’ve delivered this whole run.
But it did have to come to a close. We tore the set down, ate dinner together, talked, bonded and people trickled out. My closest friends remained, but I broke down when one of those friends had to leave with her husband. She and I had bonded the most from the start. She played the character Dorine, a character I react the most with in the show, and she and I were always there supporting each other and attacking each other with love. She’s got the most beautiful heart. 
She needed to leave so she went around saying goodbyes. I was the first one and, when she hugged me, the last thing I wanted to do was let go. I wanted to hold on. I didn’t want to lose her presence in my life. I sobbed. I totally sobbed. Before I knew it, I found myself being tightly hugged by Elmire. She is such a wonderful soul, and an old soul. She was saying things like, “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll still have me around in the next show. It’ll be fine, honey.” She spoke like I know my mother would have, had she been there.
Thankfully, the guy who played my love interest, Valere, who is also a dear friend of mine for many years took it upon himself to make me laugh. I was being tossed around in the air like an ice skater.
There’s a certain power to holding hands. You don’t have to date someone to hold their hand. You do have to care for them. It’s truly amazing as to how much a simple motion like that can help a person.
Thank you for holding my hand and being there for me, those that have. Thank you.
Filed under: Beliefs, Friends, Theatre
5 Responses to “Thank You For Holding My Hand”
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Hannah is an 19-year-old Computer Technology major who has found that being single isn't as scary as it seems, and is happy living life with only a mother. With a brother (Ryan) that was discharged from the army, two crazy and altogether amazing best friends (Heather and Lauren)and days full of gaming and being blonde, life is far from subtle.Married to Justin Long.
Stuck in an elevator with Hatori Sohma.
I am the Tohru Honda on the WWW.
April 12th, 2010 at 7:05 am
I agree, there is something magically soothing about the feel of someone you love or admires hand on yours!
When my mum was in hospital, we didn’t have to say anything; I would just reach over and take her hand and she’d squeeze mine back. <3 I’m so glad you have people like that surrounding you!
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:59 am
Never thought of it like that but there is something about hand holding which is subtly comforting. Almost romantic but more loving.
It’s really lovely that the people you work with in shows are your friends as well.
May 19th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I agree, there is something magically soothing about the feel of someone you love or admires hand on yours! When my mum was in hospital, we didn’t have to say anything; I would just reach over and take her hand and she’d squeeze mine back. <3 I’m so glad you have people like that surrounding you!
+1
July 11th, 2010 at 5:17 am
That was a very sweet entry, and it’s wonderful that you found people to connect to, because between two people, that can sometimes be the most difficult thing to do. It sounds like it was a wonderful experience and you have good people who love you around you.
July 12th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Aw, that was such a nice blog!
It definitely changed my perspective on holding hands. I think I’ll keep this in mind next time I comfort someone. 