her tiny little hands

As Elyse continues to grow & learn about this crazy world, it's literally like watching her brain develop before my eyes.  As she observes all the new sights & sounds & smells around her, she just can't seem to get enough. 

Most recently I've been watching her more closely as she uses her hands to learn about everything around her.  Those tiny little hands that just a few months ago were still curled in a tight little ball and it was a struggle to get her to relax them.  Those tiny little hands that several few weeks ago were nothing more than a glorified pacifier.  Those tiny little hands that would grab for something but the only thing she knew to do was to put something in her mouth. 

As I watch those little hands I start to imagine how someday she'll use use those precious hands to do something she's passionate about, to work hard to achieve success, and to sacrifice her time to help others.  Maybe she'll play the piano like her momma, or play golf like her daddy.  Maybe she'll be a dancer who uses her hands to make graceful movements, or be a writer who needs her hands to put eloquent words on paper.  Or maybe she'll use those hands to show others that Jesus loves them, or to console & encourage others with a simple hug or handshake. 

I've been dreaming a lot about what our little girl will become.  About where her little hands will take her and all that she'll achieve.  And then I remember that right now I need to just enjoy those little hands.  I need to enjoy the moments when she sits in my lap just playing with her momma's hands, exploring the nooks & crannies of my own fingers & the jewelry that normally adorns my hands.  I need to remember these simple moments when she takes her hand and grabs for my hair to bring me closer or when she slaps her hands on her legs with utter joy filling her face.  And I need to remember those moments when she's so sound asleep that her arms & hands go completely limp and flop down next to her fully relaxed body. 

There's no question that eventually those hands will experience hurt and disappointment and fear.  But for now, I'll just focus on the innocence of those precious hands.  I'll focus on treasuring the moments as her eyes light up when she presses a button and music plays or as she learns to lift her hands when she wants to be cuddled.  I need to focus on always being there to hold her hand, even as it continues to grow and eventually will become similar in size to my own.  I won't always be able to do everything for her, but I will always be able to hold her tiny litlte hands.