My hands are by and large rather underwhelming at first glance. They shake and spasm relentlessly and uncontrollably at the most inopportune moments. Their grip is weak and slippery, capable of neither lifting heavy loads nor firmly holding even smaller baggage. There is little force behind them, as even my most focused punch is about as deadly as being struck by a marshmallow. Taken on the standard merits expected of a man’s hands, mine, incapable of wielding traditionally masculine tools or even being used in self-defense, seem to fall rather short by comparison.
But while my hands may not be as useful for more traditional activities, there is still so much good they can do. They can give a hug to a friend I haven’t seen in a long time, to help cheer them up or just share a little warmth and happiness. They can hold another hand, whether it’s the one of someone I love or just someone who’s a little lost and feels a little less scared whenever they do have a hand to hold. My hands can bake cookies that the rest of my family can enjoy while we sit beside a glowing fire near Christmastime, and those hands can wrap a present for a special occasion and a special person.
These hands can write down words of encouragement, comfort, and empathy, echoing the feelings I have in my own heart and sharing those feelings with people who need them more than anything. They can glide ever so gracefully across the keys of a piano, and breathe life into beautiful music that warms the heart and inspires the soul. They might rest delicately yet firmly upon a lovely bride one day, who dances along with me as the two of us become as one, lost in the slow rhythm of the song and the quiet sound of our heartbeats ever so close to one another. These hands might tuck a beloved child into bed one night, lulled to sleep after a magical bedtime story, perhaps even one crafted by my own hands.
My hands can wipe away the tears of someone dear and precious who is hurting, or they can simply ruffle the air of a fond and cherished friend. They can tickle a buddy who needs a quick laugh, and they can clap brightly and enthusiastically, just to show a little appreciation for someone who truly deserves it. They can help build a snowman whenever the snow begins to drift from the sky during the wintertime, and when autumn quietly returns to the land they can rake together a pile of leaves for the young and young at heart to clamber into, creating memories of a majestic fall for the first time, or perhaps reliving such memories even when I am someday old and withered.
And the most wondrous thing of it all is that your hands can just as easily do the same. Creating memories, bringing smiles to people’s hearts, making new friends and showing old ones just how much you care – all these wonderful things and so many more can simply be done with your hands, and nothing more. So, if you ever wonder what sort of difference you can make for a friend, a family member, or even yourself, just look down at your hand. I’m sure that you’ll discover, just as I have, that even with something as simple as a hand, you can make all the difference in the world.