Old hands....by Jeannie Sparks

“While visiting Mama, she said" look at these hands! Have you ever seen hands like these?" She was disgusted. I just thought to my self, no I have never seen hands like those. Those hands may have never touched a keyboard, been behind the wheel of a car, or held wads of money, but let me tell you what those hands have done. Those hands held her husband up until she laid them on his chest to tell him goodbye. Those hands raised a family of 8 and helped raise several grandchildren. Those hands have cooked thousands of meals, peeled countless potatoes, and strung bushels of beans. Those hands pulled me to the garden and pulled many weeds. Those hands led me to church and to the Lord. Those hands showed me to always flip through the bible and stand on faith and stand strong no matter what. Those hands showed me the right way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and make do with what you had. Those hands washed my hair, dried my tears, and patted me to sleep. Those hands have worked until they bled. Those hands showed me how to be humble and kind. Those hands were crossed and prayed for me too many times to count, and taught me to pray. Those hands worked a dozen of puzzles when they didn't want to and let me win at checkers. Those hands have showed me how to be a wife, mother and better person. To her they are just withered hands that cause her pain and aggravation. Hands that can't even hold a pen or open a bottle anymore, but to me they are hands that hold the world. I will hold and cherish those hands for as long as I can."