I was looking at my hands this morning and realized they look just like my dad’s did when he was about my present age. I have always been fascinated by the differences between people’s hands. Some are fat and pudgy, others are boney, some have long slender fingers, and others tiny. But whatever they look like, they are marvelous tools.

Because our thumbs oppose our fingers we are able to grasp and manipulate objects better than any other living creature.  This, coupled with the dexterity of our digits, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, gives us the ability to do amazing things. 

Without consciously saying I want a drink of coffee, my hand, in conjunction with my arm, reaches for my cup, grasps it, brings it to my mouth, and when it reaches my lips tips it up just enough so that I can take a drink. When I have had enough, the sequence is reversed and I again set the cup down without thinking the process through. How great is that!

But back to the subject of my dad’s hands. As I mentioned, mine look just like I remember his did. I always marveled at how well he used tools to build things, finessed a fly rod, and caressed his violin into making beautiful music. At my age, mine still seem to be able to do the things I somehow will them to do without much, if any, conscious thought. I hope they continue to serve me as well until I am no longer with this world.

Ken Kaiyala
6-29-2013