Mama's Hands

This is a repost that I originally posted on homeschool blogger back in November 2005.

The older I get the more I see the beauty of Mama's hands.

Through a child's eyes, I saw them busy working: folding laundry, making beds, scrubbing the bathroom, dusting, preparing meals, doing dishes after every meal, ironing, sewing on a button, planting and reaping in the garden, canning, more cleaning.

I saw them sharing: offering a handshake, taking meals to others, typing a book for a friend, checking the pantry to see what we could give to those less fortunate than us, putting money in the offering plate.

I saw them making things: crafts with her friends and with the girls' group at church, painting a complete nativity set, sewing curtains, blankets, pillows, later a wedding veil.

I saw them tender: a loving touch, a back rub, wiping tears at weddings, wiping tears watching a movie, bandaging a scrape, brushing hair, caring for my grandmother and my aunt, holding hands with my father.

I saw them chastise in love. I saw them clapping in delight. I saw them holding books: studying God's word, reading to us at night. I saw them folded in prayer.

Today I see them still doing so many things. I see them now when I look down at my own. When did I get Mama's hands? How will my children remember mine?