Grandpa's Hands

CuteKitten2C · 11-01-2005, 06:00 PM

I got this in an email for my inlaws and it moved me to tears. I thought some of you might enjoy reading it as well.

Grandpa's Hands

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 to 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 marriedand loved someone special.
They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried 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 mark 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.

Geronimo · 11-06-2005, 10:20 PM

my Grampa is going to be 72 in less than a month.. that made me cry...

you can call me a ball bag if you want...but you have to realize ...
my Gramps is only 5'10" now..after 2 back surgeries...he used to be 6'2" ......yeah..He still weighs almost 300 lbs. but has most all of my life.. He is using a walker now..which I go and hide to shed a few tears everytime I see him take 40 steps and turn it around so he can sit down on it.

His hands still engulf mine...like I was a tiny little thing.

I know it won't be much longer...I pray that he is around for 30 more...but he keeps getting weaker. Longer hospital stays more serious.. sorry if i got off track and took this where you didn't want it to go...

Oh and its Beautiful!

CuteKitten2C · 11-07-2005, 02:17 PM

I feel the same way about my grandpa. He is almost 77 and his health has been failing slowly over the last 5 years. I regret all the time that I did not spend more time with him when I was still living close. Now all I can do is call often and always let him know how special he is.

11-01-2005, 06:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
CuteKitten2C Sexy Party Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Age: 25 Posts: 6,338 My Mood:	Grandpa's Hands I got this in an email for my inlaws and it moved me to tears. I thought some of you might enjoy reading it as well. Grandpa's Hands 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 to 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 marriedand loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried 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 mark 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. __________________ The Army is my husband's mistress and sometimes that bitch gets all the attention.

11-06-2005, 10:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Geronimo Krazed Addicted Master Join Date: May 2005 Location: Private Age: 34 Posts: 1,572 My Mood:	my Grampa is going to be 72 in less than a month.. that made me cry... you can call me a ball bag if you want...but you have to realize ... my Gramps is only 5'10" now..after 2 back surgeries...he used to be 6'2" ......yeah..He still weighs almost 300 lbs. but has most all of my life.. He is using a walker now..which I go and hide to shed a few tears everytime I see him take 40 steps and turn it around so he can sit down on it. His hands still engulf mine...like I was a tiny little thing. I know it won't be much longer...I pray that he is around for 30 more...but he keeps getting weaker. Longer hospital stays more serious.. sorry if i got off track and took this where you didn't want it to go... Oh and its Beautiful! __________________ *It was actually fun.*

11-07-2005, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
CuteKitten2C Sexy Party Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Age: 25 Posts: 6,338 My Mood:	I feel the same way about my grandpa. He is almost 77 and his health has been failing slowly over the last 5 years. I regret all the time that I did not spend more time with him when I was still living close. Now all I can do is call often and always let him know how special he is. __________________ The Army is my husband's mistress and sometimes that bitch gets all the attention.

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