In Loving Memory of Evelyn Carter

Her Hands

Have you ever looked at your hands- really looked at them.

I took a moment to think about Evelyn’s hands and how they have served her well throughout her years. Her hands, though worn a little bit have been the tools that she has used her whole life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

She would fold them in prayer and bless her family.

Her hands were decorated with a wedding band given by Chuck to show the world she was married and loved someone special

Her hands held her newborn babies

Her hands tied the shoes of her once little children

Her hands wrote many letters to her children while they were grown out of the house or serving their missions.

Her hands have embraced friends and consoled neighbors.

Her hands clutched the steering wheel of the car to drive to work every early morning

Her hands welcomed and took in family to stay in her home...not just for a little while but for as long as they needed.

Her hands would only use felt tipped pens to write notes.

Her hands also wrote out detailed daily instructions for Chuck...a Chuck to do list. Her lists were always written in bold capital letters. She couldn’t abbreviate “T.P.”...she had to write out “toilet paper”.

Her hands would take meals to ill families

Her hands never touched a clutch. She was an automatic gal.

Her hands would never let anyone touch her ears to pierce them. Clip ons were her style.

Her hands would pick up a wooden spoon...wave it at Chuck and say, “I know you’ve been to the grocery store twice already but Ryans coming over and we need more PIE!”

Her hands were held by Chuck as they danced together to “Bully Bully”. They would rip up the rug!

Her hands prepared lessons for primary children. They would all receive clipboards which included paper, pencils, erasers, glue sticks. They were to take this home at the end of the year.

Her hands once picked out a tie for Chuck that had red cars on it because he used to drive a little red car around town. He wore that tie so often that she wished she hadn’t bought it for him.

Her hands could type a million miles a minute. serious....with long beautifully painted manicured nails that is.

Her hands so thoughtfully & carefully picked out dresses for her granddaughters which included matching purses, hats, gloves, tights and shoes every Easter and Christmas.

Her hands could set the finest table setting with matching dishes, crystal and silverware

Her hands would prepare a roast beef, potatoes and carrots and corn almost every Sunday dinner. Always had 2 vegetables and bread with her meals.

Her hands picked out the hundreds of novels that filled her home library of books. She even had a childrens collection for her grandkids. She had them organized with index cards.

Her hands carried big purses filled with anything and everything you could imagine including a 72 hour kit.

Her hands couldn’t resist putting on her loved high heeled shoes despite doctors orders to wear flats.

Her hands would carefully wash her crystal dishes just to put them back in the hutch and cherish them...even if she didn’t use them.

Her hands have held the grand babies, caressed their faces and rocked them to sleep. She would read stories to them and make cookies with them too.

Her hands would deal out the UNO cards to play with the grandchildren.

She would hold her hands over her eyes to look out into the soccer field to spot her grandchild playing. Her hands would then help her shout “Run- good job- run!” Her hands would clutch into a fist as she would celebrate a big “Yes!” as they scored...and when they didn’t score her hands would dry their tears and say “thats ok...we’ll go out for ice cream”.

Her hands picked up the phone to call and say hello. We could always count on a birthday call without a doubt.

Her hands thoughtfully picked out greeting cards...they had to be specific and say ‘To a special daughter” printed on the cover.

Her hands wrapped the prettiest gifts with elaborate bows.

Her hands meticulously organized personal files and records. She even had a file for her avon orders.

Her hands finally touched a PC where she learned how to email and even use a blog.

Her hands are a mark of where she’s been and shows the ruggedness of life.

Her hands embraced her family when Mandy passed. Her hands buried her daughter. Her hands placed flowers at Mandys grave every year on her birthday.

Her hands have been tired, sticky, wet, dried and raw. When not much worked well her hands held her up, put her to sleep and again would fold her arms in prayer.

Her hands are the hands that God has reached out and taken to lead her home
With her hands, he will lift her to His side and there will use her hands to touch the face of Christ.

Look at your own hands. Remember the work of Evelyns hands and that will inspire your hands to do the work of Lord

Her hands hold a piece of our hearts and always will.