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Photo by Karen Christy

Poem: A Joyous Welcome
By Elaine Fogel Schneider, Ph.D.

There are many ways that parents try to feel close to their babies, but no way
can come closer than using the sense of touch. Why does touch have such a
power and hold so many physiological, psychological, and spiritual treasures?
Read this poem and find out what infant massage can mean to you and your
baby!

Through the power of massage
I accept you for who you are
Through the power of massage,
I acknowledge all I have to give.

Listening, watching and touching,
The first language of our hearts
Beat a joyous welcome
For you are a gift, and
You are the memories
I want to share.

With a firm and gentle touch,
I say, "I'm here!"
I respect you,
I'll comfort you,
Nurture you,
Empower you, and
Protect you.

I'll laugh with you,
Cry with you, and
Drying away your tears,

Most of all
With a firm and gentle touch,
I say "I'm here!"
And I will love you forever.

Elaine Fogel Schneider, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ADTR, CIMI, holds a doctorate in
psychology, and masters' in the fields of speech/language pathology and
dance/movement therapy. Schneider is a certified infant massage instructor,
and the founder and executive director of First Nurturing Touch Communication,
a nonprofit educational corporation that assists families in developing safe and
nurturing relationships, and Baby Steps, a family-focused early intervention
program that introduces families to the world of touch and the importance of
bonding and attachment, as they learn to see their child first and their child's
disability second.

This document is from Community Therapies Web site -
www.communitytherapies.com Reprint in whole or in
part, without written permission from Community Therapies,
is prohibited. Email: drelainefschneider@hotmail.com