Grandmas hands

@Lakota12 (42600)
United States
March 12, 2007 12:09am CST
I just have to share this I hope every one likes it as it brought tears to my eyes A nice song, great picture and message. Grandma's Hands Grandma's some Seventy Seven plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was ok. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was ok. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I'm fine; thank you for asking, she said in a clear strong voice. I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were ok. 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; 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. 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 dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life. They held my young husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were firm yet gentle when I held my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band, they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They replied to the letters written home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and watched as my daughter walked down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure when I grabbed my child and jerked her away from danger when a car was going too fast, and they clasped my children lovingly for stitches, broken bones, and measles. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body, and those of my family,from the day a new baby was born, to the day I washed my first love's body and prepared him for his final viewing. They have been sticky, wet, bent, broken, dried, and raw. To this day when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the richness of my 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. - God Bless Grandma. Loving Memories of our Grandmas, Great-grandmas, etc, etc.......
5 people like this
7 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 07
This is so beautiful and yes it brought tears to my eyes. And it is so true as well when you sit back and think about it. Thank you for this I loved reading it.
1 person likes this
@momknows (284)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I copied it and emailed to alot of people.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Mar 07
Glad ya liked it I just wished the pic would have came thru
@simran1430 (1790)
• India
12 Mar 07
well , not tears but it surely is very very touching story , tell us to respect our elders so much , grand parents are cherished people , you dont know when u have them ,
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Mar 07
oh how I know it now I have grand kids would be nice if they set and listen to our stories
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
13 Mar 07
It is beautiful Lacota, but I preffer when you make me smile not cry...well it is real life...I miss my Grandma.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
13 Mar 07
don't be sorry, it is beautiful....
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Mar 07
ok ty
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Mar 07
am so sorry I made you cry but I thought it was beautiful! and indeed I like to make every one laugh
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Hey LKo12 .. :D that was beautiful thanks for sharing +'s 4 U
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Mar 07
thanks and your welcome
• United States
12 Mar 07
That is a great reminder. I remember my grandmothers hands, even although today I am a grandmother, when I close my eyes I can see them clearly. They have wonderful memories for me as I was not raised by my mother. Thank you for giving me a few happy nostalgic memories.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Mar 07
your most welcome
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
12 Mar 07
thank you again for a heartwarming story. there are a lot of things in our life that we take for granted because of the fast pace of life we are in that we forget to take time to notice the simple things and what it really means in our life.i do always take notice of it. i guess if we have less the the more we bocome rich.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Mar 07
your most welcome. and I always heard the best things in life are free in that we become rich i beleive
@momknows (284)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I'm close to tears! My Grandma whom I love dearly and is 87 JUST starting to have some serious health problems and this poem really made me think of her tonight. She is the most precious person in the world to me. She was always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to bend.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Mar 07
was not sure to post or not but it brought back alot of memories for me also
1 person likes this