A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-16-08....Warm Fuzzy Wednesday ~ Grandma's Hands

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she 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 she was making.

Grandma 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 husband and wiped my tears when he 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 my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, 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 u p, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of 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 grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she 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.

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-14,15-08 Military Tribute

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Lady Jag]

And the rest of the day to you!

[Mama_Bear]

Yes, we are blessed that this wonderful, highly skilled vet has agreed to see Chachi and perform the surgery. Our confidence in him is helping us get through this.

And, God bless you MEG for your care and concern. I can't tell you how much you and others here have helped with your prayers and moral support. Thank you so very much.

[MEG33]

Thank You LUV!..Nice

[luvie]

Hee-hee!

That is VERY cute!

[MEG33]

I know how difficult it is...(((HUGS)))

[MEG33]

*Grin*

[luvie]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww......THAT is adorable!....and sweet!

[Kitty Mittens]

Oh, Billie, this is an Absolutely Beautiful Thread, and Brings back So Many Memories of my Grandma and Grandmother! Thank you for this Blessing!

Everyone Always Posts the Neatest Graphics! I Wish I was at my House where my New Squirrel Pics are at, Lol!

Have a Beautiful Warm and Fuzzy Wednesday!

[La Enchiladita]

Mama Bear, hope you see this note.
I pray all goes well for Chachi’s surgery. I well know how worrisome and stressful this is. God bless you and your dear Chachi.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, LUV. Chachi has been suffering from back problems since the end of October. It would get better, then worse and now it is at the point of being an emergency. We believe it is a disc problem which is pinching the nerves in his back so that he can't feel his hind legs. The myelogram that the doctor will perform tomorrow (it's like an MRI) will show the extent of the problem and he will then do the necessary surgery. Chachi has been on pain meds and anti-inflamatories, so his discomfort has been minimal, still it breaks my heart to see such a young dog, not yet three years old, having such problems.

[La Enchiladita]

Hi Meg and All. Happy Warm and Fuzzy. We are fogged in this morning.

[La Enchiladita]

And the winner is.... patriotic pugster!!

[Kitty Mittens]

Praying Day and Night for Chachi, Sweet FRiend.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, dita, for your sweet note. It means so much to me. So many friends here have been so very supportive and the care and concern and prayers have touched my heart.

Dolly, you asked a while ago what kind of back problem it is and the answer is, we still aren't 100% sure. The vet we saw in Fresno told us that he is almost positive, from the looks of the xrays (which don't show much), it is a simple disc problem, but until a Myelogram is performed complete diagnosis is impossible. They don't want to anestisize him for the Myelogram and then re-anestisize him later to do the surgery. The surgeon wants to do it all at the same time. I wish this were a problem that could be solved without surgery, we would rather do anything than put this little guy through this, but we've had three vets tell us it is absolutely necessary.

[luvie]

Bless his little heart. When I read the first part, I was assuming that he was an older dog. I think it’s sad, too, in one so young. I hope and pray that the surgery is successful and he lives a long and pain-free life with you who loves him dearly!

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, ((((((Kitty)))))).

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks so much. I am absolutely sure that no dog has been loved more than this little guy. And I know he is very special to have so many people praying and pulling for him. :-)

Gotta run. I have a bunch of things to do before we leave. (((((((((LUV))))))))))

[luvie]

Keep your chin up. I am sure he will be fine!

Have a good trip. I would love to visit Sacramento. (I probably spelled that wrong!)

[luvie]

Awwwww....hope you stay warm and dry and cuddled.

I love CA fog...except to drive in it. :D

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks...:) The sun is trying to peek though, hazy sunshine now. You spelled Sacramento perfectly.