QUITE CONTINENTAL

     I disagree with the song that says that, “A kiss on the hand can be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” I guess it depends on whose hand is being kissed and who is doing the kissing on the hand.
     A situation presented itself to me where I experienced the heartfelt thrill of being on the receiving end of a special kiss on the hand. It came from the most unsuspected source and it was accompanied with an infusion of a special kind of love, one that is steeped in respect.
      It was my birthday, my 77th, and I was feeling very, very special on that day. My son and his family who live locally were taking me out to my favorite restaurant for dinner. I had received birthday wishes from my other children, the grandchildren who live on the West Coast, as well as my local grandchildren, my sisters, sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews who live out of town. It had already been a wonderful day. I had also received a birthday blessing from my husband who died several months ago. He had arranged for a yellow rose, which is my favorite flower, to be added to an arrangement of flowers which were sent by another relative. That was phenomenal and heart warming and unexplainable, yet wonderful.
    The added surprise of the kiss came from Ray, the owner of the restaurant at which we dined that evening. He has been very special to us for years, having owned, operated and cooked at his restaurant for many years. He originally came from another country but came to the US to seek freedom and become prosperous. My husband and I had befriended him when he originally opened the restaurant.
    On the evening of my birthday Ray came out of the kitchen to greet us and hugged me, which was his usual form of greeting.
     After we finished our meal and we were leaving, Ray again came out of the kitchen. I reached up and hugged him again. He hugged every member of my son’s family. Then he did the most unexpected thing. He gently took my left hand and with kindness and great respect kissed the back of my hand. It was almost a ceremonial kiss. The emotional result for me was that I felt very honored and respected, like a member of royalty.
    The act was so unexpected but it carried with it an attitude that I never expected from a person who is not a member of my family.
    We are all used to being kissed, hugged and honored by our families. We don’t expect it, but we treasure it when we know the outward signs of affection are genuine.
    This kiss on my hand was different. It was undeserved and unsolicited, with no family ties, but it conveyed a sign of deep and abiding respect which is an outgrowth of a special kind of love and regard.
     I left the restaurant feeling like a queen, like a member of a royal family. Only a person from another country who has been taught the importance of kissing the hand of an older person in a sign of deep respect and love can make that kind of an overture.
    What Ray intended to deliver to me was definitely received. His message came across powerfully Just a gentle, tender and lingering soft kiss on my hand was worth all the diamonds in the world. Its message came across loud and clear, that I am special to the man, to my family and to others.
     Not diamonds, not rubies, but what I consider one of my best gifts that I ever received is the special kiss that I will continue to treasure, the respectful, gentle, love-filled kiss on my hand from Ray, the pizza man, that warmed me from my head down to my toes. I will carry that feeling with me forever.
     Thank you, Ray, for portraying to me how special you think I am. That kiss came straight from heaven.