These hands

My Mother's hands.  In the last days of my mother's life I watched these hands reach out for help.  She needed help to do the most basic things.  I was one of 8 Farnsworth sisters that had the privelege of helping her. (Diane, Nancy, Debbie, Raelene, Jana, Karen, Yvonne, Melinda)  We served our mother with reverence and love.  We liked to say that we were preparing her for eternity.  What a blessing.

Many times my mother would want to know where her husband was.  Dad would come in to kiss and comfort her with many "I love you"s.  He held her hand for hours.  He was holding her hand on Sunday, the 2nd of October, when she passed from this life.

I held her hand one day as she was sleeping and marveled at what her hands had done in her life.

She was the mother of nine so changed (according to google) 50,174 diapers.  90% of these were cloth diapers before the invention of the disposables.  Add to that the babysitting and grandchildren.  Every diaper changed with love.

How many floors did she scrub?  How many dishes did she wash?  How many towels did she fold?  How many meals did she fix?

She was a concert pianist.  She won her first competition at the age of 5 playing Clementi's Sonatina.  How many hours did these hands play the piano and organ?  She played the organ every place we lived  as she served in the church.  These hands led the music in Primary, in the ward choir, stake choir, Singing Mother's choirs, and youth choirs.  These hands directed "Toyland Fantasy" operetta many times.  They directed "Promised Valley."  All this she did with love of music and people; especially children.

Her hands were there to rub my legs at night when I couldn't sleep.   The touch of her hands comforted me when I was hurt or sick.

I will miss the touch of my mother's hands, so I will use my hands now to serve and comfort others.  Her hands have taught mine.