I remember sitting as a girl
in the raftered balcony of the church
during morning worship service,
craddling my mother’s hand in my lap;
examining creases in her warm palm,
tracing distinct veins across the back,
touching the smooth pale pink polish
on her clean, neatly shaped nails,
fingering the circle of her wedding ring;
turning its diamond to catch the light
filtering through stained glass windows,
trying to glimpse each rainbowed hue.
Mom thought her hands were “too large”
but those dear hands were just big enough
to shape hearts and home, to hold our family
together, with their faithful, gentle work of love.
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 16, 2016 @ 09:13:15
How true that while we judge ourselves on silly superficial things, love and smiles and more are the things others remember of us. Well done — I could picture the scene
Mar 16, 2016 @ 00:42:51
What a wonderful memory.. Really loved how you describe her hands.. And so much to love in those hands.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 22:51:32
Such tender, loving memories of your mother’s hands, Lynn. There’s something about hands that are such an intimate part of a person. What they do with them tell so much. Lovely and sweet…
Mar 15, 2016 @ 23:11:09
Thanks for your comment, Gayle!
Mar 15, 2016 @ 20:08:57
Ah, I remember holding my mother’s hand and studying it as well. There definitely is something about a mother’s loving hand. Interestingly enough, now when I look at my OWN hand it is pretty much the way I remember my mother’s hand! Funny how that happens.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 22:47:15
Yes…I always remember my mom’s hands were warm. My hands look differently as she was not my birth mom but her hands shaped my life.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 20:07:37
Beautiful.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 20:04:44
Stunning. I could envision all of it. I loved the way you took us from the details of her hands to a beautiful tribute in the last stanza. Thanks for sharing this heartfelt poem for the prompt.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 22:42:03
I appreciate your kind comment…glad I could share.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 19:13:46
Lost mom thirty years ago next Christmas. This put her back in close proximity today. Thanks for that!
Mar 15, 2016 @ 22:36:46
Glad it brought back memories of your mom too 🙂
Mar 15, 2016 @ 17:38:29
Such a glorious tribute ❤
Beautifully penned.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Mar 15, 2016 @ 17:17:41
Ohhhhhh, that last stanza. Such a wonderful tribute. Makes me wonder what my children will remember of me.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 17:24:14
Thanks for commenting. I hope my children remember the love!
Mar 15, 2016 @ 17:11:23
A lovely tribute to mother’s hands ~ Now I recall doing the same thing too with my mother’s hands ~ The ending lines resonated strongly with me Lynn:
but those dear hands were just big enough
to shape hearts and home, to hold our family
together, with their faithful, gentle work of love.
Mar 15, 2016 @ 17:20:10
…your comment and the sweet memory bring tears to my eyes, Grace.