I always marvel at how things happen, because they always happen in a way I can never imagine.
The other day I practiced passing the basketball with my daughter because she’ll be playing basketball in middle school next year. She acted bashfully while passing the ball, and I had to show her how to be more aggressive, but protecting herself and the ball at the same time. She did very well. I will continue to practice with her.
The next morning my hands ached. It took me a while to figure out why my hands were hurting. I finally remembered, I practiced passing the ball with my daughter the previous day. While driving I felt my hands throbbing more. Getting old is hard… Again, it took a few moments, for me to figure out I’ve had a death grip on the steering wheel. Anyway a familiar song came on the radio. The song playing is Grandma’s hands by Bill Withers. In the moment, I realize, the song is about healing. I had never thought of the song in this way before. Grandma had healing hands and this is what Bill Withers talked about in this song. Grandma warned with her hands, she soothed with her hands, she’d play the tambourine in church with her hands. She celebrated with her hands. She gave and gave with her hands until they ached, because she loved. Grandma was a healer, teacher, and most importantly a Mother. She inspired people to do good.
I’ve sung Grandmas Hands, by Bill Wither’s countless times, in the shower, for years and I just now get it. I just, loved the song. I love it even more now. It reminds me of my grandmother, my Mom and the many wise mothers guiding me on my journey. One touch from their hands always made life feel better, when going through a tough time. It’s been ten years since my grandmother (who I called, Mother) has been gone. She’s now my angel.
I’m learning to heal like the mothers before me. I write inspiring stories with my hands; a precious gift.
How will you pass on your gift to inspire others? What do you remember about your Grandma? Listen to Grandma’s Hands and tell me what you think by emailing me at alluraeshmun@yahoo.com.
Copyright ©2017 by Allura Eshmun
Grandma’s Hands, by Bill Withers
Grandma’s hands, clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma’s hands, played a tambourine so well
Grandma’s hands, used to issue out a warning
She’d say, “Billy don’t you run so fast, might fall on a piece of glass, “Might be snakes there in that grass!”
Grandma’s hands
Grandma’s hands, soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma’s hands, used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma’s hands, used to lift her face and tell her,
She’d say “Baby, Grandma understands, that you really love that man. Put yourself in Jesus hands”
Grandma’s hands
Grandma’s hands, used to hand me piece of candy
Grandma’s hands, picked me up each time I fell
Grandma’s hands, boy, they really came in handy
She’d say, “Matty don’ you whip that boy. What you want to spank him for? He didn’t drop no apple core”
But I don’t have Grandma anymore. If I get to heaven I’ll look for
Grandma’s hands
Written by Bill Withers • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group