Her Hands

Her hands showed years and years of hard work and toil. The knuckles swollen from severe arthritis...painful just to see. And yet they were so soft, so caring. They could do almost anything. They nursed the sick and cared for the dying. They raised five children and loved thirteen grandchildren. They wallpapered rooms and painted trim. They held pencils to write poems and to complete cross word puzzles. They cooked countless family dinners and washed just as many dishes. They played cards with family and taught children to play Scrabble. They washed windows and vacuumed floors. They cut out patterns and sewed tiny beads on wedding dresses. They planted flowers and harvested gardens. It seemed that her hands could do anything, that they were magical although disfigured from all the pain. My Meme's hand are something I will never forget. There was something so comforting about her hand touching yours,everything just seemed alright.

I wonder what the twins will remember about their grandmother? About me? Will they remember the nights my hands rubbed their backs or held the books at story time? Will they remember the meals my hands prepared and the mounds of laundry they folded? Will they remember my hands clicking the shutter to take pictures and then cutting and pasting each one in a scrapbook? The times I held them close....The times I colored with them.....The times they were folded in prayer?

Funny how we often remember things after they are gone. How everyday things seem so special once they don't happen for a awhile. A hand...a body part...How can five fingers bring back some many warm feelings? So many memories? I'm sure that Meme never took the time to look at her hands...To wonder if she would be remembered for all the good that she did. Take time, look at your hands and think of all the memories they have created for others. Thanks Meme!