My Morning Drive

As I was driving to work one day this week, I happened to look down at my hand on the steering wheel. It was in the same place it usually is when I drive, doing the same thing it always does when I drive. Holding the steering wheel in place. Not terribly exciting so I’m not sure what made me pause and really look but I did.

What I saw was a 55 year old hand, a fitbit, a bracelet and a ring. My initial thought was, “Wow, that’s most of my life represented on my arm”.

First, my hand…. the hand that has been there with me through thick and thin. It held my son when he was a baby and kept him safe. It fed him and kept him nourished and was always there for him. It has wiped tears from my eyes, both happy and sad. It has planted seeds in the ground that turned into flowers or vegetables or full grown plants. It has comforted others by a simple touch, a simple handhold or a gentle nudge of encouragement. It has turned the pages of the many books I have read over the years that have taught me things or taken me to a land far, far away. It has selflessly served me in whatever task I asked of it. The age is showing but I have confidence it will continue to serve me well. I think of my hand as a magic tool that can help so many people and so many things. Be the magic!

My fitbit. You can’t really see it in the picture but it is just under the sleeve of my coat. This represents my health. I wear it to remind myself to keep my body moving. While I was going through chemo I did not have the energy to move. I laid in bed and did nothing. I never want to not be in that place again. I appreciate the energy I have and I believe the more you move, the healthier you stay.

The bracelet I am wearing represents friendship. Not just any friendship, but the true deep friendships I have. This was given to me by one of those friends. I see it as a token of celebration and love and friendship and the magic that happens when like-minded people are together. I hope she knows she is magic to me. I can only hope that I am as good to my friends as they are to me. I can’t imaging life without them.

And finally, my wedding ring. The representation of all I have in my marriage. The love we have for each other is felt and shown in everything we do. Jim and I have an amazing partnership that I appreciate daily. Actually, multiple times a day. We joined our lives together on the day he gave me this ring with the promise of never-ending love, support and friendship. That promise is still in full force! When we were first dating I would get butterflies in my stomach every time I was going to see him. He still gives me butterflies! He is a such a part of me and has made me such a better person. I look forward to living a very long, happy life with him. My only regret is not meeting him sooner.

Well, that’s it for my hand story. What does your hand say? 🙂

#love #hands #friendhsip #ruthielanigan #bethemagic #weddingring #butterflies