Grandma's Hands

The other day I read the most amazing story on a wonderful blog..
http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com/ I couldn't stop thinking about it and just
had to share it with you.


GRANDMA'S HANDS


"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked.. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

raisinsawdust photostream
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn ' t understand.
jdmac photostream

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I ' ve been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."



I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma ' s hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face."

-- Author Unknown
kwerfeldein photostream

As always,
thank you so much for stopping by



Comments

Crissi Harvey said…
Thats really beautiful it brought a lump to my throat,made me think of my dad
Willy. said…
Thought of the future,live today..
with yesterday .grts.
Numinosity said…
Just the other day after I did my handwriting exercise on my blog and was complaining about writers cramp and realized that I needed to thank my hands for all they've allowed me to do and to be grateful that they still let me create.

Kim
Riki Schumacher said…
Beautiful Cat, just lovely. Makes me appreciate my hands even more. We are lucky to have them help us in so many ways. Riki xoxo
Anonymous said…
I have seen this before, someone sent it to me via email...it gave me a lump in my throat the first time I read it and now with your beautiful pictures...it does again. Hands tell a lot about a person, I think. I look at mine and mine are so much like my mother's. I never knew my grandmother...she died before I was born, but I bet she had the same looking hands...very rugged from working out in the yard but very nurturing, very warm, loving hands. To know that we were created in God's likeness, brings a smile to my face! And I am looking forward to when He calls me home and I too will will be able to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face...what a glorious day that will be.
Brenda LaBell said…
Beautiful Cat, thank you for sharing Marlene's wonderful post!! Never really thought about my hands that way before. As I've grown older, I look at my hands I see my Mother's hands, it's amazing how we see things differently as we age ourselves. Love this post Cat!!

((Hugs))
Brenda
Deb said…
Marion sent me! I'm so glad she did! I was very touched by the post, but am thrilled to visit your art and see that you are a fellow DigitalWhisper Member. I'll be back!
Mollye said…
Thank you for sharing this oh so poignant little story. I pray that never again will I look at my hands in dusgust at the ugliness of this crippling arthritis which plagues me and I hope instead to be able to see them in a whole new and appreciative light. Luv ya sister, Mollye
Mollye said…
testing 1-2-3 to see if I hit
send lol
Lori ann said…
how beautiful, thank you for sharing. i've been enjoying your art work also, it's completely lovely. have a wonderful, creative week Cat.

x lori
What a beautiful story...the photos really make me pause to think! I'm getting older....time to ponder these things! Thanks! ♥
I've seen before also Cat, but never tire of it. It's one of those things worth reading and thinking about periodically. It is lovely. Thanks for the reminder. Connie
Kim said…
Beautiful.. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. kim xxoo
Kass said…
Absolutely beautiful!
C'est La Vie said…
oh i love this post, that first picture is my absolute favorite.

and the music on your blog is so relaxing! at least this one playing is...love it

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