Undaunted

My hands amaze me. As my fingers fly across the keyboard seemingly on their own accord and words and sentences appear across the screen, I’m reminded of how remarkable my hands really are. They remember exactly where to go on the keyboard and know where each letter lives without the help of my eyes.  

Our hands identify us as human. Each finger is kissed with a unique finger print making them truly ours alone. Small and slender or thick and large, hands come in all shapes and sizes. With only 29 bones and 34 muscles our hands can perform millions of tasks. From stitching a wound back together to cracking an egg to playing a complicated piece of music on the piano or flute or guitar to knocking someone out cold.

Hands perform simple tasks such as using a fork to eat, a pencil to draw or a hammer to nail. Our hands are strong and powerful in one moment, yet gentle and comforting in another. They can stroke, clap, snap, tease, tickle, touch, slap, rub, punch, tap, knead and drum. Our fingers and thumbs work together to comfort and create or hurt and destroy.

As a writer I treasure the miracle I call my hands. I’d be lost without them. And so, I will pamper this gift of mine. In fact, I think I’ll treat them to a manicure very soon. And as I finish this post, Jewel’s song, “Hands,” plays in the background – a perfect tribute…

My hands are small, I know.
But they’re not yours, they are my own.
-Jewel

What amazes you most about your hands?