hands

the years pass by so quickly

at first you were my baby

and then my little girl

now with the hands of an angel

you're becoming this ever

amazing person

i am filled with pride and love

and ever so grateful to be your mother

The cliches. They are often so true, especially the one that tells us how quickly the years pass. The days are long but the years short. Each night, as I sneak into Electra's darkened room, quietly switching on the lamp near her bed to test her blood sugar I am forever in awe of her beautiful hands. Adorable, chubby fingers transformed into youthful grace. Colors of her nails forever changing but the beauty is always there.

With each click of the finger pricker I am stricken with pride at her tenacity, strength and the void of complaints while enduring something she neither asked for, nor deserved. I am touched by the contrast of those beautiful hands contending with this meddlesome, invasive disease of diabetes.

There is so much grace, radiance, power and vitality in those hands. It will be my honor to get up night after night after night, for as long as it takes, to check on those hands.