A friend recently mentioned that her husband was always asking her to scratch his back, and she got tired of it so she bought him a back scratcher.
It was just an off-hand comment so we really didn’t discuss it, but I’ve thought about that conversation since then and wish I had told her about my extensive experience with back scratching.
There are definitely two kinds of back scratching — when the back itches — and as a loving touch.
I don’t remember why I started this practice, but I have used back scratching as a loving touch for my family for a long time. DD has told me that she fondly remembers me coming into her room to wake her up when she was a little girl and scratching her back as I told her it was time to get up.
And I’ve continued that practice. If one of my loved ones is sitting near me, or a small one is on my lap, I will just give them a little back scratch. The response is always a positive one — from a loud “ahhhhh” to just a simple sigh — and almost always followed by a thank you. And with Hubby, unsolicited back scratches for him are a long-time habit, which he always says he appreciates. But, by the way, if his back really itches he has a back scratcher.
So my advice is that when a loved one asks you to scratch their back, if it is because it really itches, hand them a back scratcher. But, if it’s possible it’s really a request for a loving touch, take the time to give it.
I like it that when I am gone, one of the memories my grandchildren might have of me is as a great back scratcher!