Her Hands

This past Saturday morning, I got to do one of my most favorite things. . .give a massage. Yes it is work, but fun work. I especially love working on people I love or care about. Why you may ask. Here's a story to tell you. . .

So my lucky client this time was my sister-in-law Kristine. Kristine is married to my oldest brother Gordon and therefor has known me most of my life. She is the mother of 4 boys and 2 girls. I sometimes like to call her super mom. Kristine is a great cook, plays the piano, has had many callings in her wards and stakes, does scouting with her boys, likes to garden, participates in the PTA at her children's schools, is always helping out a friend or a neighbor and much much more (this is all I can think of at the moment). Anyway, last week her mother mobile broke down and it took a few days to get fixed. By week's end she had, had one tough week and asked if I could give her a massage. We agreed on a time and it was on. I had no idea what I had in store for me.

I started the massage as usual, working on her back and neck and then to her arms and hands. As I started massaging her hands, Rosie her youngest (a fabulous, curious 5 year old) asked, "why are you massaging mommy?" I told her that her mommy works hard and needed an hour for just her, to rest and relax. My eyes welled up with tears as I continued working. Why? Because my mind started to wander as I thought about all of the things these precious hands have done and do.

The tears they've dried.

The noses they've wiped.

The meals they have cooked.

The hands they've held:

my brother's hand across the alter in the temple, babies hands as they learned to walk,

walking children to school, comforting a friend in need.

Her hands reached out in fellowship, love and service to family, friends and the community.

(she is always willing)

The piano and organ keys they have touched to make beautiful music.

Her waving hand, inviting others to sing and directing voices in choirs.
Getting her hands dirty

to plant in the garden, pull weeds, chop down trees

and to play in the sand.

Kind of crazy - these were my thoughts as I massaged her precious hands. It was the least, the very least I could do to relieve, aliviate and hopefully revive her hands, after all they do. I felt blessed to do so.

Kristine is not merely my sister-in-law, she is my trusted friend and I love her.