Hands, and Meeting a Blogging Friend

I thought it would be fun today to link up with Lisa Jo Baker and her Five Minute Friday Challenge prompt. Every week Lisa Jo posts a word, and the idea is to write for five minutes about whatever pops into your head.  The prompt this week was Hands.

Go

I love my husband's hands.  We started dating when we were only 15, and I remember the first time we held hands, walking down the hallway at our high school.  I felt so elated and like I was part of something special.  We've been married for 24 years now, so I guess I was.  His hands are big and strong and have held me through good times and bad.

I love my children's hands.  I remember the feel of their little baby fists wrapped around my finger when I fed them.  My older son used to hold my face in his chubby little hands when he wanted to make sure I was listening to him.  Now their hands have grown and matured into those of fine young men.

I love my friend's hands.  So many times over the years they have lifted me up when I've needed them.  Helping me with a move, or a sick child, or a fun project.  I hope those hands will continue to be in my life as we get older.

I love my parent's hands, the very first ones I felt as a baby.  They have moved away, and I miss seeing those hands every day.

And lately, I love my fellow blogger's hands.  Reaching through their keyboards to encourage me with a kind word, or to post a nice comment on something I've written. Blogging has come at a time in my life when I really needed it.  All the helping hands have given me a new direction and focus in my life.

I love my own hands.  Through the years I have nurtured many people with them - my husband, my children, my friends, my parents.  They are a bit more wrinkled these days, and certainly not as strong as they used to be.  But there is a lot of history in these hands, and I think there is a lot of life left in them still.

Stop

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting my new blogging friend Susan when she came to the Seattle area for her son's soccer tournament.  Susan and I started our blogs around the same time and quickly found that we have a lot in common.  

When I first told my family I was meeting her for lunch, they said "um...no".  They asked how I knew she was legitimate.  When I pointed them toward her lovely blog, they were not convinced. I guess I've taught them well regarding the dangers of the internet - maybe too well!

They insisted on coming with me to make sure Susan was really Susan.  She was - a wonderful writer with a unique voice - and we had a lovely lunch date.  You can read what she wrote about it on her blog The Most -- Of Every Moment.  Three months ago I could never have imagined that I would have a new friend from the blogging world.  But I do - thank you Susan!

Have a great weekend!