Grand Opening: Letter from the Editor

"If we open ourselves to the despair and pain of the world, and if broken-hearted, we can still love the world, then we can become part of the medicine for the world." -Mary Pipher

Touchè is my dream manifested in the form of an online magazine. What is that dream you ask? Simple: To light up the spirits of the people who have been worn down by the human struggle. I believe our struggle rests in our relentless desire to survive, despite our coinciding circumstances. My heart goes out to individuals who are without love, without companionship, without another human being who acknowledges their existence. So many people in this world want to be seen, understood, accepted, and included. My dream is to share their stories, and hope that you connect in such a way that you open your heart to all other human beings.

When I was 9 years old, I was infatuated with being homeless. The idea that a person could live anywhere they wanted was fabulous. But something else also captured my curiosity. Who are these amazing, traveling people? What is their story? Where do they come from? Despite my interest, my parents were not really into me hanging out with homeless people at such a young age, so instead I wrote my first short story about a young girl struggling with her life on the streets. When it was complete, I shared my story with my friend’s mom, Amy. After the second page, she was in tears. Apparently, Amy had spent several of her teenage years on the streets struggling with drugs and alcohol. She connected with my words and my ending, which wrote of a woman reaching out to the young girl and bringing her into her own home. Amy remembered how painful those years were, how much she needed someone to acknowledge her existence, and show her the light she could not find for herself. Ten years later she was a magnificent mother of three talented children. She was leading bible studies and giving hope to others who needed it. Her story was powerful, but it might not have changed so dramatically if that one person had not heard Amy’s cry, felt her pain and offered their heart.

I learned that day that writing can connect us to each other. My job from that day forward was to tell stories that connected readers to all the people on earth, to show these people as the complicated human beings they really are, with histories, families, emotions and legitimate needs. That is what this magazine is about: connecting you with people who need you, sharing reasons why to love each other & inspiring ways to change the world, one person at a time.

"If we have no peace,
it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa

Our first article will be posted here on blogspot, on Friday, February 6th. Please befriend us on myspace or send us an email. This way you can receive updates on events to get involved with, and find out about new articles posted. Whoever you are, we want to meet you. Also, if you are already involved in an organization or are helping others through art, music, education, or activism please tell us! We need everyone’s support!

Sincere Thanks,

Arabella D’Acquisto
Editor-In-Chief