Sunday, January 07, 2007

Sunday Scribbling - "Kissing"

Kissing can mean so many different things to different people but most associate it with love and affection. When I thought about kissing my first thought was of my husband and then my grandson. I felt I needed to mention a few other forms of kissing before I get to the fun kinds. There is the "kiss of life" otherwise known as mouth to mouth resuscitation which saves lives. "Kiss off" a not so romantic term and even worse, the "kiss of death" which in the mafia is fatal. There is also the "kiss of peace" signifying unity in the Christian church. Luckily I have only been told to "kiss off" from this list but a "kiss of peace" would be cool.

Watching my grandson kiss me with his mouth wide open is so sweet and pure slobber bliss! It’s a reminder that we learn to kiss and show affection as we grow. Mom and dad’s constant kissing of every soft precious fold, grandma and grandpa’s neck kisses that make you squish your body into a ball of giggles, to our sibling giving us raspberries on our tummies to make us squeal. They are our first kisses of love and adoration.

Kissing during our younger years is very different but at least we have learned to close our mouths by now and pucker. Opening our mouth comes back later, but I digress. Mom still kisses us when she can catch us but everyone else seems to hold back a tad, some more than others. My dad and grandpa were more reserved as I grew up, but that was back in the olden days. Siblings and some relatives have been know to have cooties, so we got more selective as we grew older unless otherwise ordered. I really disliked being made to kiss anyone as a child and never made mine do it. A hug was very different than a kiss and less gross for a kid. My parents stopped kissing each other and us at some point in my childhood, but I noticed it was not as unusual as you would have thought back then.

Kissing as an adult did not come as easily to me unless it was a passionate kiss with a man. I had that down pretty darn good with lots of practice in high school. I was a popular cheerleader with lots of dates and that was called a tease in my day unless you put out. Kissing and hugging any female other than my grandma took a concerted effort. I even toned down affection with my own girls as they hit puberty. "When you know better you do better" and I taught myself to break the cycle. It’s still a work in progress but I’m enjoying learning to express affection, especially to women I love.

Kissing Dave is a gift I treasure because the muscles in my lips and tongue are dying. Over salivation is a hindrance but I’ve learned some tricks ;) I want to savor every single kiss. If he catches me off guard my kisses are not very good but those are my personal favorites. It’s the emotion behind the kiss that matters so that if it is taken away the emotion is still very much alive. I don’t say "I love you" everyday to Dave because he knows. When I do say it to him it packs a punch! The same with my kids. Kissing and words are powerful expressions of love but I wanted to say we can show love in just a look. Try it, give that special person in your life a look that is full of all your love and do it when they don’t expect it and are not distracted. Watch their face as you kiss them with your eye’s ;)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tammy, such a wonderful post! I love how you explored various kinds of kisses - and your experience with some of them! :) The photo of you and that precious cherub TK is fantastic! And it's interesting that we both included the Sixpence none the Richer song in our posts. xo

Anonymous said...

Yes, I love the song, Tammy!
I think you are so wonderful- the more I read, the more my heart is touched by your courage to live your life to the fullest. Thanks so much for visiting me... and this post was wonderful. I wonder why little ones always kiss with their mouths open? They sure are sloppy- but sweet!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Tammy! What a rich post. You cracked me up, about babies kissing open-mouthed, then giving it up (till later!). TK is just adorable.
I love the idea of kissing with just the look in your eyes - you can say so much with just a look can't you? I still wouldn't want to give up kissing the old-fashioned way, though!
XOXO

Anonymous said...

The song makes me smile. I love it. And you post, I laughed at your grandbaby. So precious.

Anonymous said...

Tammy, what a beautiful post! And your grandson is so cute I just want to hug him.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Tammy. Love the idea of kissing someone with your eyes. Gonna try it tomorrow!

Amber said...

You are such a treasure, Tammi. I love the song-- it made me smile! And your post was sweet and fun, and then touching! Wonderful. Kissing someone with your eyes...It reminds me of my grandpa. I would catch him looking at me from across a room, and he would have this special twinkle, and give me a wink. Now I wink at Wyatt, and he winks back. Maybe that is an eye kiss! A little special wink. ;)

:)

Anonymous said...

what a truly fabulous topic to write about. every one can relate to this... and if they can't, well then i feel bad for them!

can't wait to read more!

~jess

emmapeelDallas said...

Kiss them with your eyes...that's a great idea.

Good post.

Judi

kj said...

awww, tammy, what a sweet wonderful post. i am a kisser and a hugger. i love to throw kisses across the room.

and love's all in the mind: it's so obvious you have mastered that.

i like your new avatar. and how about mine! i feel classier already.

best wishes to you, tammy!

Anonymous said...

Lots of nice pointers here for the would-be kisser. Cheers.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post. I am very fortunate in that my daughters and I have always been very affectionate...we always kiss when we see each other, with big hugs. And I have women friends who are easy with their affection, it's wonderful.
My husband is the BEST kisser and can curl my toes on contact.
And as "Mimi" to my grandchildren, the soft sweet kisses I receive are pure joy.
A big smooch to you, my dear friend!

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for stopping by my blog-I have enjoyed reading some of yours. I hope to findsome more time soon.Your grandson is just beautiful-what a delight!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely post, the emotion in a kiss is certainly more important than the technique and kissing with the eyes, well....

To add to your list is the Glasgow kiss, which I think is a head butt over in our tough Western city and also the butterfly kiss, which is the sweet little kiss with your eyelashes.

sheryl said...

Tammy,

Your post made me smile.
Your writing is so eloquent.

You share your life in a beautiful way.


Happy New Year and hugs to Dave and TK.

Sheryl

Anonymous said...

I just love the photo, so so cute! And a lovely post!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Tammy and all sealed with a kiss.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful exploration of the kiss.
Bisous :)