12,706 of 22,523 Days

I have been forced to think about hands lately, mine are beginning to show the wear and tear of life.  Today they have 22,523 days on them, been a great pair, served me well, held babies, been baptized and have baptized, made art, felt my dad's lifeless body as we said goodbye, stroked mink and soft special flesh and often held high to God in “awesome wonder.”  Bled a lot, held on for dear life, cradled loved ones, pets, and wild things.  Hands are perhaps the greatest gift to humans, by them we know most of what we know, make most of what we make, and hold most of who is dear to us but perhaps the greatest purpose is to hold another’s hand of which I have held my lovers for 12,706 of the 22,523 days I have had hands—now that’s a useful use of hands.     

My hands are also used to record special numbers.