Spot of T - Lend a Hand
Hands tell a story. I remember back to when I was a teenager and playing tennis competitively, I had lots of calluses on my right hand. I wore them like a badge of honor! I knew that those calluses signified lots of hard work and I figured that the more calluses I had, the better a player I would grow to be.
Many times, your hands reflect the jobs you’ve had in the past, or they may reflect your hobbies or pastimes. Gardeners sometimes can’t seem to get the dirt out from their nails or can’t seem to get all the dirt off the grooves of their fingers, no matter how hard they scrub. I experience this every year during spring and summer as I begin to work in my flower and vegetable gardens. Even though I wear gloves, I invariably end up with dirty hands. Once again, I don’t mind – it’s a sign that I worked hard.
Every set of hands tells a story. YOUR story. Whatever your profession, whatever your passions, they are reflected in your hands. And of course, they change throughout the years. One day I looked down at my hands and to my surprise, I saw the hands of my mother! How on earth did that happen, seemingly overnight? Time had taken their toll on my hands. Initially, I was upset. How can I possibly be old enough to have hands that look like THIS? Where were the young, supple hands of the 20-year-old who perpetually lives inside the confines of my skin? What happened to THAT person?
The good news is, she’s still right here. My hands are most definitely a reflection of what I can only call a happy life well lived. My hands reflect lots of activity, hands that delved into every activity and hobby with a passion. Hands that played hard and enjoyed life along the way. These hands have played sports, have spent many hours playing the piano and guitar, have done more than their share of DIY projects for fun and out of necessity, and repaired houses on mission trips to Appalachia. These hands have boasted their fair share of splinters, blisters, rashes (thanks to poison ivy!), scrapes and cuts. These hands have been dried out by the weather and even by excessive handwashing (during cold and flu season, and especially recently).
But the best thing about these hands is that, hopefully, they have been there for other people. I am eager and honored to lend a hand to anyone in need. Isn’t that the best feature of hands? When we can reach out and grab hold of someone who needs us? Or when we can reach down and pull someone up, someone who needs uplifting?
Incidentally, I am honored to have my hands look like my mom’s … I can think of no one else I’d rather emulate. Hardworking, supportive and ever ready to offer her hands to me in aid, and most importantly, always extended to hold me up and sustain me no matter the circumstances. I can think of much worse things than to have “mom” hands. I relish the thought of using my hands to reach and support others. It reminds me of the lyrics to that oldie but goodie,
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. “… Hands, touchin’ hands, reachin’ out, touchin,’ me touchin’ you…” The same hands that have worked hard, scrubbed, gardened, become calloused and hard, can be comforting, sustaining and nurturing beyond measure to those in need.
I feel a sense of security knowing how many pairs of hands have my back at all times. Remember to let your hands be there for those in your life. And remember to give yourself a hand every now and again. You deserve it!
About Brittany Pointe Estates
Brittany Pointe Estates is a gracious Lansdale retirement community that reflects the charm of the region of France for which it is named. Situated in northern Montgomery County, residents of Brittany Pointe Estates senior living community enjoy an abundance of shopping opportunities, cultural offerings, theaters, gourmet restaurants, and beautiful parks that are nearby. Many of the nation’s top hospitals and health care providers are less than an hour away in Center City Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. It is located at 1001 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 and you can call 267-657-3106 for information.