Those Hands
(For my husband, Paul, a true blessing and answered prayer.)
By: Angela Gillaspie © September 21, 1985-2009
hose hands of his softly held mine as he asked me to be his wife; blushing, I told him to get off his knees. On the day I became his wife, he pulled me close and nervously kissed me.
On a humid beach in Barbados, he cupped his hands to my face and expressed his love to me. Looking into those chocolate-brown eyes, I melted - eager to start my life at his side.
After the honeymoon, we paused at the entrance of our first apartment, and he swept me up in his arms and carried me over the threshold.
Those hands circled my waist as we celebrated my graduation from college. After working through four years in three different colleges, he shared with me my dream of a college degree. During the drive home, he held my hand as we shared anecdotes from the ceremony.
A year later, his hands trembled as he gently held his tiny newborn daughter for the first time. Each time I saw him holding our child, I was in awe how such strong hands could tenderly cuddle, caress, and love.
In the coming years those hands proudly held three sons up to the window where weeping grandparents stood on the other side. His hands became adept at diapering and burping; drooling babies gnawed on his fingers to soothe their inflamed gums.
His hands clapped loudly at soccer, football, and baseball games and then doled out snacks to the team. Those hands threw fastballs and gave high-fives. Those hands hiked the football and shot straight into the air in celebration of a goal. Those hands baited hooks and caught lightning bugs.
Those hands tickled ribs and wiped tears. They ruffled long sweaty hair and stroked crew cuts. They steadily pulled out splinters. Those hands rescued me from an intimidating mouse.
Those hands hold smaller hands in prayer, the father submitting to the Father.
Those hands are callused and scarred from doing an honest day's work providing for the family.
I love those hands. They have touched my life, my soul, my very being. Those hands hold my heart.
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