Likely, it was your mother or father who first held your hand when you began taking baby steps. Having a parent hold your hand while you were out in the world made you feel safe, protected from any harm. The same is true for your spouse. Holding hands is definitely a heart-connected activity! How sweet it was when Sadie reached for her son's hand and held it! I reached for my camera and instinctively took a picture. A mom who will reach her 80th birthday this year holds her son's hand; a son she had to 'let go' Sixty years ago TODAY!

The thing about both their hands are the similarities. Turns out that Howard and Sadie both have known hard work. Working with their hands. She helped her folks on their tobacco farm for untold hours and beyond Howard's full-time career, he worked countless hours almost each weekend for over 25 years in the citrus groves. His parents had a 'work hard' attitude towards their responsibilities, so Howard has a well-rounded background to his approach to work ethics. I've always said I had never known anyone who worked SO hard. Only since the loss of the grove has he had a chance to slow down some. Now his hands are more available to "hold" and his lifelong callussed hands are not so obvious these days. You can tell a lot about someone by looking at their hands. I was honored to be seated at the dinner table with both of them. We anticipate holding Sadie close to our hearts for the rest of our lives. {January 27, 2008}