My Daughter's Hands

Tonight my one-year-old daughter Corrie has a cold.  She was having trouble sleeping, so I had the distinct pleasure of rocking her--for a long, long time--to sleep.  We sat there in the dark of her room, the rocking chair creaking slightly, her slow, even breaths a little raspy from her cold.  Her head was nuzzled into my neck, and her right hand softly gripped the fabric of my shirt on my chest. 

Corrie's hand.  It's a plump little thing--dimpled, smooth and creamy white.  I've always been fascinated by my children's hands, but tonight as I looked at Corrie's, I was overwhelmed with happiness--and a little sadness--to think of where those hands will travel.  Tonight they're flawless little hands, untested by life's challenges and inexperienced in its joys.  But where will those little hands go tomorrow, and the next day, and the next?...

Any day now those little hands will let go of mine as she takes her first step.

They'll grasp a pencil as she clumsily but surely learns to write. 

They'll grip handlebars with a mix of joy and horror as her Daddy runs behind her on her bike, almost ready to let go.

In the teenage years those hands will wipe away many adolescent tears and slam many doors, but maybe, if I play my cards right, they'll still reach out for mine every now and then.

They'll pack her belongings as she leaves for home.  And they'll open our front door again as she comes back to visit.  A lot, if she knows what's good for her.   

How I pray those precious hands spend more time spread open in joy, rather than clenched in anguish.  But wherever they travel, I hope they're often clasped in prayer.  I hope they're helpful hands, and merciful ones, and I hope they always have many, many other hands to grab onto.

They'll wear a diamond from a handsome young man, and they'll loosely hold her father's tuxedoed arm, eager to reach out for her future at the end of the aisle. 

Those hands will grasp the bedsheets in pain as she fights to deliver her child, and they'll tremble in joy when she holds him or her the first time. They'll feel many little foreheads, apply many band-aids and hold open many books.  And then, one night, she'll rock that baby to sleep, and she'll stare in bittersweet wonder...at its little hands.

Comments

[Queen Beth]

You have the most amazing gift with words Shannon. I am usually always at a loss for words when I read what you write. Your blog is such a breath of fresh air for me!

[Shannon]

Wow, Beth, what a kind thing to say--thank you so much.

[Karen]

You've taken my breath away and brought me to tears. Oh how fast these years are going to fly.

[Mel]

That was so perfect and lovely. Thank you.

[Kim in IL]

Sigh. . .I've "written" that scenario in my mind as well, though my thoughts were of baseball bats, fishing rods, steering wheels, and beautiful veiled brides.

My eldest is getting married in May, as you know. The days go by so swiftly. Each stage is so very precious. And guess what! It doesn't end when they take off for college or take their first job and live away.

I've had the privilege of seeing men's hands in place of the child's. It is so awesome. You will absolutely love your children's "grown up hands."

[Kim in IL]

Oh, and I hope Corrie feels better soon!

[Barb Szyszkiewicz, sfo]

THAT was beautiful. I'm wiping away tears, myself.

[Peach]

Wiping away the misty eyes myself this morning. What a beautiful word picture, Shannon. Eloquence could be your middle name -- even though that would sound kind of silly, wouldn't it? Anyway, you know what I mean . . . you got a way with the words, sister! I think I'll go hold my cutie's hands today before they get bigger and decide they don't want to hold my hands at all. You've inspired me to write something similar -- so watch for it soon!

[Randi]

Seiously sweet words for your little one! Great post, a reminder that all mommys need-this is a temporary job and we need to enjoy it and invest in it!

[Rachelle]

That is entirely too beautiful. I often wonder the same about my son. I studies his little dimpled hand just this morning as we prepared for family prayer. He's only 10 months old, but has the cutest chub dimple on each finger. Those hands will do marvelous things.

[Owlhaven]

Thanks for writing this!
Mary

[Jenna]

Um, weeping all up in here. Wow. Great post.

[Goslyn]

How beautiful. You put words to something I have been struggling to express, every day as I watch my son's hands grow bigger before my eyes.

Thanks.

[Megan]

Wow. Were you trying to make me cry? :) I think about that too. All the time. Beautiful.

[Sunny]

I thank you for putting that experience into such beautiful words. You were really able to express what goes through so many of our hearts, but is more difficult to put into words. That made me cry!

[GiBee]

Why, oh, WHY do you DO that?!? My key board is shorting out from the flow of tears you have kindly brought to my eyes.

So beautiful. So touching. I could just close my eyes and think back to last night, as my son's beefy hand grasped my shirt while I rocked him to sleep. And -- I RELATE!

Oooohhhh, your words turned my tummy into jelly as I imagined, for a very brief moment, what the future holds.

Prayers and kissies to your little girl!

[mary]

Goosebumps...I have goosebumps!

[chilihead]

I don't cry, and you just made me tear up.

Every single day I think about how I would hold my son's hands and rub them while I rocked him to sleep. No matter where I'm walking, if I don't have one or both of my children's hands in mine, I'm lost.

Oh the flood of memories...all becuase of a hand.

[Stephanie]

That's precious.

Little ones are so sweet.

[Lauren]

Shannon,
Beautiful! Simply beautiful!

You have a way with words, you so sweetly, easily say what others only think. Thank you for using your gift in such an uplifting way.

[momrn2]

Can you hear me blubbering? Thanks for the reminder to enjoy today, because tomorrow they will be gone... What a FABULOUS post!

[mimi2six]

And....someday....those precious little hands may type on a keyboard (or whatever) words that bless others. It will bring incredible and deep joy to your heart.

[JD]

Love the post. Thanks for sharing.

[Carol]

May those sweet hands spend more hours in prayers of praise than prayers of petition.

[another mom]

Shannon, that was so awesomely beautiful. You often have me holding my breath as I read. Little hands are my favorite part of tiny children. They are so innocent, needy and fragile. I just want to hold on tight forever, but I remember the stages of letting go. What lovely thoughts. Thank you!

[Faith]

That was so beautiful. Just think(and smile),someday you will be able to hold the precious hand of HER little one.

[Heth]

"They'll wear a diamond from a handsome young man, and they'll loosely hold her father's tuxedoed arm, eager to reach out for her future at the end of the aisle."

Wahhhhhh!

[Lucinda]

Amazing my friend!! It doesn't take much, but you brought me to tears.
I had this same thought about my 2yr old's hand, one night when we were traveling late, and she was restless to get out of the car. As I reached back to hold her hand, I realized what a short time they have those small chubby hands. I glanced over at my sleeping 4 yr old just to look at her hands. They were much thinner and "grown up" looking. I felt a little sad that the baby years go so fast. Thanks for expressing it so beautifully.

[Kathryn, The Daring One]

This so beautiful. How do you find it in you to continually post things so poingant and real, but with no cheese? You amaze me.

[kep]

This is the first time I've ever visited your blog, and what a post to start out with! That was beautiful and made me cry. :) Thanks.

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

I'm all teary here. . . .