H is for Hands and Hearts

H is for hands and hearts.

I'm sure you've all seen them, those photographs of two hands, fingers curved and brought together in the shape of a heart.They're often used in wedding or maternity pictures and have become almost as common as "duck lips" though not near as annoying. Well, they got me to thinking.

I take care of my mom. She lives with us. Sometimes, especially at the end of a long week, I get to feeling exasperated, but, because she is my mom, my hands continue to exhibit love. They wash and fold her clothes, make her meals, and put drops into her eyes. They change out her oxygen tanks, shampoo her hair, and put jigsaw puzzle pieces together. They hold her arm when we walk outside, and they bring her newspaper in each morning. They write checks, pick up prescriptions, and dial the telephone. All because the heart loves.

And you know what? Years ago, when I was small, Mom's hands began the work of love too. They stroked my face, changed my clothes, and bathed me. They folded my clothes, made my meals, and put drops in my eyes. They drew pictures for me, turned the pages of books, and taught me to do puzzles. These hands, now old, once lifted me up, held my hands, and pointed me in the right direction.They taught me to do the job of taking care, even in the face of frustration, all because they loved.

I wasn't always quite sure what to think of the heart hands, but the more I do think, the better I like them. (Those are my mother's hands.)


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