Germaine Rita Carpenter

MoM's Hands. one day mom sat feebly on the couch>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 O.K Finally not wanting to disturb her but check on her at the same time, I asked if she was O.K. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled and said"yes I'm fine in a clear voice. I didn't mean to disturb you ma,but you were sitting here staring at your hands i explained. "Have you ever really looked at your hands?" she asked. I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them"No i guess not, trying to figure out the point she was making.Mom smiled and said,"These hands though wrinkled and weak have been the tools i have used all my life to reach out and embrace life". They braced and caught my fallwhen i was a toddler> They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child I was taught 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 wiped my tears when i was heartbroken> They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent> They were uneasy and clumsy when i tried to hold my newborn children. Decorated with my wedding band that showed the world that i was married to a wonderful husband.They wrote letters and trembled and shook when i was upset. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors and shook in fists of anger when i didn't understand. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness 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 where i will use these hands to touch the face of Christ. So when my hands are old and tired, i will thank my mother for i know that my very hands will do the same. You will be sadly missed my mother. Love your son, Dale John.