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Jun-17-2005 15:25

I received this from my cousin,who is a pastor in Michigan and wanted to share with all of you! It is very touching, I think! Grab tissues lol ;)
Grandpa's Hands - This is good; I'll never look at my hands the same!

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.
Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice. I didn't mean to disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK, I explained to him. Have you ever looked at your hands he 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 as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa 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 held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was
married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried

Jun-17-2005 15:25

my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle.
Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friend's foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the marks 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 and there I will
use these hands to touch the face of Christ. I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children
and wife I think of grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Jun-17-2005 21:06

*sniffle*

Jun-17-2005 22:34

Wow, that was so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about my late Dad who also took the hand of God and went to be with him a few years ago, where he has joined my infant daugther, whom I've never held in this life, but I can just see her holding on to her Grandpa's hand as they walk side by side in Heaven. Your story brought back so many memories of my Dad and it makes my heart ache that I won't be able to celebrate "Father's Day," with him tomorrow, but one day I will once again take his hand in mine. "Happy Father's Day, Daddy & I love you. Also, to all father's here, "Happy Father's Day." Again, thanks Makensie for sharing this.

Jun-17-2005 23:01

I'm glad you enjoyed the story! I'm sorry to hear about your dad and infant daughter. Atleast there is comfort in knowing that one day we will join our loved ones who've passed on, and be together once again : )

Jun-18-2005 03:35

*looks at her hands*

Jun-18-2005 04:13

thanks for posting this it was heartwarming.

Jun-18-2005 05:48

Makensie, rather unusually, I'm at a loss for words....
thank you for sharing

Jun-18-2005 06:38

Thankyou Makensie, I'll remeber this story for a long long time.

Jun-18-2005 06:48

You're welcome...glad u enjoyed :o)

Jul-6-2005 11:23

Stare at hands for awhile... am watching them type. Weird and heartwarming.