Hands

I have always thought hands are such a significant part of a person. My Grandy had strong masculine hands. I loved everything they represented, a man who worked hard all his life, who was a devoted father and grandfather. His hands like him were steady and caring. I loved to sit on the couch listening to music holding my Grandy's hands. I have snapped several photos of our hands together over the past couple of years, knowing that was a memory and feeling I always wanted to hold on to.

During Thanksgiving I decided to do the same for all the family that was at Nana and Grandy's house together. This Thanksgiving was extremely unsual and a tell tale sign of Grandy's physical deterioration. Grandy would usually be found in the center of the room bringing the family all together with stories or singing to us or just asking questions. This Thanksgiving however Grandy was positioned in a chair against the back window taking it all in. He was just watching his family all interact together. I sat next to him and tried to be sneaky asking casually if one of my cousins or aunts would stop and hold Grandy's hand for a photo. I didn't think Grandy was paying much attention at first but he soon started asking people to hold his hand for me. Of course everyone was anxious to participate, holding Grandy's hand was such an honor to all of his grandchildren.

Unfortunately I did not get everyone's hands, But here are those who I did get. The first is Nana and Grandy's hands. Those two held hands for 60+ years.