[AT] Grandpa's Hands

[Herbert Metz]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Irma Brown" <bellville1 at earthlink.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 6:39 PM
Subject: [AT] Grandpa's Hands


This is one of the nicest stories I have seen.  Makes you want to
> >     take a peek at your own hands.
> >
> >     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 married and 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 friends 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 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.
> >
> >     When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to
> >     you and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's
> >     continue praying for one another ...
> >
> >     Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.
> >     Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something Christ
> >     would do.
> >
> >     Make it a great day!!
> >
> >
> >
> >     "Too much of a good thing is wonderful..."
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