So many wonderful hands with digits of great talent, amazing they are, able tools connected to the body! Each hand unique to its existence and its master, some scared, stained, and callused, others smooth, manicured, and clean, no matter their appearance or texture each has uplifted, comforted, destroyed, given, received, and been shaken.
To receive another’s hand in that brife embrace of a hand shake says so much, to feel the large, coarse and callused firm squeeze of the mason, the smooth slender and gentle presence of a grandmothers hand. “Bump it bro” or of course the classic high five, each unite and celebrate!
Hands have always been a fascination of mine. As a young boy I remember sitting in mass holding my mothers hand, I would push and roll the veins that were proud on the back of her hand, I would feel the smooth long red painted nails at the end of each finger while listening to stories of a man named Jesus who used his hands to heal. I remember watching the skilled hands of my uncle as he seemed to preform magic chiseling, carving, and filing to create wonderful objects, I marveled at how not only his hands but the multitude I observed seemed to move effortlessly and flawlessly while working in their craft, even watching the ladies type in my moms office I was amazed at how their fingers could move so quick and accurately. click click click tap click I would pretend is was typing of course only gibberish.
When I look at anything made by hands I appreciate their presence I recognize their effort and skill. To the hands that have left their imprint upon my life that have helped to shape and mold this person I am, I am forever grateful! To the two hands bound to me and that I have the pleasure of using to create, feel, mend, communicate, embrace and connect, thank you!
To the hands you have the pleasure of meeting, receive them warmly and know the wonder they possess and the connection they hold with the heart of their master.
Edward Donato