I took a very early trip, through the wintry landscape, to have an MRI and a mammogram this morning. The grace I felt within me this morning reflected through the eyes of the people around me. The receptionist at the imaging office greeted me with welcoming eyes and a smile. The MRI technicians listened to my fear as they gently inserted the IV and rolled me into a tiny tube. And when I came out, my friend was there to receive me in the waiting room; giving me a hug and some loving hugs. Having my body touched when it is tied up in knots is like heaven on earth. My body just melts. I, then, headed over to the mammogram department. Everything is split up into parts in the hospital; a department for bones, for blood for breasts. When I got myself situated in the waiting room, there were three other women there. It is strange how we sit in the waiting room, staring at a TV spewing out fear, and not even look at each other; women with stories staring at a screen. Then, a woman I know came in for her routine mammogram. We started talking and she asked me what I was there for. And I filled her in on the past six months. Another woman, sitting in the corner, overheard me and asked, "What is a biopsy like, I think I have to have one soon", with fear in her eyes. As I shared my experience with her, another woman, who had many tests while we were there, shared her experience. Soon, we were all talking and shedding some light on the anxiety we all felt inside. The woman who was to have the biopsy got her news this morning too. When the technician called her back, we wished her well, and she entered the room and as the tech closed the door, we in the waiting room heard her say, "Well, it's good news." We all breathed a sigh of relief for her. In fact, I almost cried I was so happy for her. Connection heals. Intimacy makes the scary things not as scary. We push through those times,staring at the TV screen, talking about things we don't care about, and wonder why these moments are approached with such dread. I soften when I connect with others authentically; when I make myself vulnerable and stop staring at the screen or burying my nose in a People magazine. I open myself to receive love from others, even perfect strangers. And I give it too.