I catch a glimpse of them and something draws my eye downwards.
I glance down and begin to frown.
It’s another thing on my body I am disappointed with.
They are wrinkled and the veins are bold.
My knuckles are rough, showing signs of tedious work.
There are lines making a permanent home in the once soft skin.
There is an indentation where my wedding band sits.
My nails are short and not always polished perfectly.
These hands are not pretty.
But the stories? The background?
Does that shine through?
These hands have intertwined with my husband’s, giving him strength and hope and love.
They have held onto his as we stood at the altar taking our vows.
They have welcomed a brand new baby into our family.
They have held an infant during hours of feedings.
They have rocked our little ones countless hours until they fell asleep.
These hands have wiped faces and changed diapers.
They have nursed sick children back to health.
They have tucked little ones in each night and traced their soft sleeping faces.
They have rubbed backs and grazed arms as a sign of love and gentleness.
They have held tiny hands in theirs, showing that they are safe. Secure. Home.
These hands hold stories. Moments. Memories.
They may not look pretty, but they are beautiful.
.
.
Kimberly
Latest posts by Kimberly (see all)
- Essence of Now: May 24 - May 23, 2013
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- You Are My Calm - May 19, 2013
Hi, my name is Kimberly! I am a wife of 1 and mom to 4. I'm a social media addict and book lover. This blog is a raw and honest look at life through my eyes. I capture the moments as I fumble through motherhood, marriage, and my new graphic design career. I am sometimes funny, a bit sarcastic, and always sleep deprived.
Twitter: CourtneyKirklnd
says:
Love this post. I’ve always hated my hands, too. It’s amazing the stories that our hands tell about our lives.
Of course they are. You can hold MY un-beautiful beautiful hands anytime.
That picture at the ends speaks volumes. You might not love your hands but to those gorgeous boys of yours they are magical!
I love this post, and that beautiful picture too.
They’re the hands of a mom…. just like mine and so many others.
Well written, Kim.
Twitter: adayinmollywood
says:
Very sweet post!
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
I know what you mean…mine are so dry from all the washing they do…but it’s all worth it!
My hands are a disaster area
But this makes me feel like they have redeeming characteristics!
What a beautiful post!
My hands are very “veiny”, but they are my own and I don’t care anymore.
Twitter: queenofchaosmom
says:
It’s so funny. I never feel old until I look at my hands. I can cover up dark circles and bags under my eyes but my hands tell the real story. Great post. I love how in the beginning they were something that you were disappointed with but in the end…you have to admit…are beautiful. Love it! Great writing.
What wonderful words you have woven with those special hands!
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
Mommy’s hands are beautiful because of all of the reasons mentioned above!
I do have to agree though I do not like looking at my hands. When I first started reading your post I thought, dang she’s good she can describe my hands without even seeing them! It’s because of this that I religiously paint my nails every Sunday during the school year. I have to look at my fingers pointing things out so often, at least I can have a fun color on them . . . right?!
“But they are beautiful.” And so is this post!
As long as your hands are strong, it doesn’t matter what they look like. They will always be beautiful to your family.
Those hands have also applied butt paste to your face.
Oh wait, was I supposed to keep that a secret? My bad.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
Your posts are always so deep and full of feeling and emotion. Love this.
Your hands are special to the little people in your life who feel the strength of love and safety through them.
This is so beautiful, Kim. Your hands are the hands of a mother, a beautiful mother. Their history is what defines them and makes them all the more meaningful.
I have stubby fat fingers and “man hands.” But I’ve always felt strong because of them.
Your hands are not idle hands, and are therefore beautiful.
Oh my goodness…that picture is REALLY beautiful!!
I have never like my hands either, but like yours, they have done so much, been so much, carried, nurtured and held so much.
I loved this post.