Bella Grace Magazine is a favorite of mine. It's filled with thought-provoking entries that offer the reader an opportunity for reflection, exploration and enlightenment.
In the Summer 2019 edition, one of the prompts suggested thinking back on all of the things that our hands have done through the years.
How easy it is to forget the simple gift of having hands.
Imagine all of the good that your hands have done.
Reflect on when and where your hands were the only thing to catch you from a fall.
In my life, my hands have completed countless tasks, performed acts of love, been clasped in prayer and intertwined in the grasp of another.
My hands have:
picked up and cradled each one of my 5 precious children
broken many a fall, saving me a trip to the ER
wiped tears from my own eyes and those on the cheeks of others
supported me through push-ups, pull-ups and play
cradled teeny toes and fingers of my angel babies
plunged deep into the damp, black soil of my garden
planted flowers and shrubs, potted plants and fern
cooked culinary delights and ordinary mac-n-cheese
clipped Joseph's Coat roses from my arbor
caressed the cheeks of hurting children and friends
written love notes and mailed long-hand letters and cards
composed poetry and prose
touched silk and velvet, burlap and boards
typed, texted and called on my phone
brushed thick, curly hair, washed my body and put on my clothes
embraced my lover and husband -- my best friend
The list could go on and on. When you sit down to consider how essential you hands are, it's almost staggering.
Our hands change through the years.
Our infant hands that used to grasp and wrap around the fingers of our mothers and fathers, grow into the hands of children who hang from monkey bars, climb trees, make mud pies, play with dolls, race matchbox cars and make royal messes to clean.
Our elementary hands grow into adult hands that veer from fun and move to the seriousness of using our hands to drive our car, write essays, type on the computer, lift weights, load laundry, wipe little noses, pick up and clean up... wear and tear and repeatedly washed.
As we age, our hands begin to show evidence of use. The soft, smooth palms of childhood earn callouses, bear bruises and swollen knuckles, succumb to wrinkles and lines, fall host to age spots and plumped up blue veins.
Hands wrinkle, stiffen, ache and wither--surrender to earned badges of age.
Take a look at your own hands...
What have they done for you lately?
What have they allowed you to do?
How have they changed through the years?
What tenderness and care have they given to others?
Hand in hand...
We lend help to those in need
We entwine our fingers, interlocking them in love
We clasp our hands in prayer
We lift our hands with praise
Notice each detail
Be amazed
Hold sacred the abilities and beauty of your very own hands
Raise your glass in toast to the hands that you host
take a moment to linger
time to remember
You've climbed mountains and molehills with your hands every day