About the Author
Carl Gincley was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. He grew up in Denville, the hub of Morris County. His career was in RF and microwave electronics manufacturing. While working in Anghel Labs, Inc, Carl was the production planner responsible for securing materials for a sole source critical microwave component used in the guidance system of the latest generation defensive Patriot Missile. Its first real-world use was in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His spouse of 31 years is an Episcopal priest, Rev. Peter De Franco. Carl has participated in all facets of Episcopal Church life including worship & liturgical duties and fundraising. He was a volunteer for over 10 years and then became a member of the Executive Board of Directors of St. Peter’s Haven, Homeless Shelter and Food Pantry, in Clifton, NJ. Carl and his husband are both retired and live in Toms River, N.J. with their 2 cats. Carl's heritage is British and his interests are writing children's stories and songwriting.
"Carl's current initiative explores ways to expand our understanding of remembrance, framing 'Remembrance-Gratitude' as a shared bond we fundamentally hold in common. In his effort to rethink how we honor the past, he introduces a new visual concept—'Love can build a bridge of memory'—and a moving metaphor for Memorial Day and Remembrance Day: 'Love's Loudest Whisper.'"
A New Language of Heartfelt Reverence
The essence of Remembrance-Gratitude is not a passive feeling; it is a living, breathing connection. If we are to stand together across borders, united by a common heartbeat, we must also choose to speak to one another with a renewed kindness.
To bring this collective reverence into our daily lives, I invite you to reclaim a beautiful, forgotten gesture: the verbal caress.
In our modern world, we often rush through our connections, signing off with sterile words or hurried phrases. But a caress of kindness—spoken in a message or penned in a letter—is a deliberate pause. It is a gentle, thoughtful touch, a soft breeze of support sent to a friend or loved one simply to say, “I value your soul, and I am sending you goodwill.”
When we tell a friend, "I am sending a gentle caress to your heart today," we are breaking the monotony of the everyday. We are choosing a language of profound recognition.
Let us not only remember together under the blanket of gratitude; let us find new connections with one another along the way.
Beyond Words: The Caress of Kindness
Sometimes we want to make a connection without saying a word. A Caress of Kindness is a silent gesture meant to convey warmth and support.
1. What It Is
Inspired by the universal two-handed heart, this gesture makes a silent connection to send love, support, or friendship. It is a simple tool to remind someone they are not alone: “I care about you,” or, “I’m in your corner!” It can also send a quick signal to a group: “I’m your friend!”
2. How to Do It
· Eye contact: Catch the eye of the person across the room or on your screen.
· The motion: Form a ‘C’ with your hand and gently brush down your cheek.
· The intention: This gesture signals, "I see and value you. I am sending you my friendship and goodwill. I am here for you!”
3. What the Recipient Experiences
When a friend receives it, they feel:
· Deeply Seen: They are instantly acknowledged as a valued human being.
· Emotionally Anchored: If someone feels anxious or overwhelmed, this gesture conveys a bond of support.
· Grounded and Cherished: It breaks through emotional walls with gentleness, love, and care.
It takes just a single moment to perform, but its message can lift someone up and change the world's heartbeat—one silent, loving gesture at a time.
