ENCOUNTER: Carol's Hands

 

ENCOUNTER: Carol's Hands

God always gives us the edge

Carol was sitting on an electric shopping cart just inside the doors of a Walmart waiting for his wife. As I was about to take one of the other carts, he began speaking to me but I was quickly redirected from his face to his hands, or rather his fingerless palms and I lose connection with his words.

Carol was 82 and managed to make his living driving a truck without fingers for almost 40 years. I suppose anyone who can zip and unzip a coat with only two tiny thumbs, is capable of about anything. Straight off Carol reached to shake my hand.  Timidly my hand enveloped his.It was the hand of a child. Hand in hand, the transfer began.  Replacing fingers were a flood of feelings, emotions, anguish, images of  a lifetime of labor, of trial and endurance, of accomplishment. I wanted to weep and cheer simultaneously.

Distracted by a memory, I recalled the effects of a drug introduced in the 50's called Thalidomide* and asked if his condition was the result of his mother having taken it.  Reflecting, I realized he was born before the drug was introduced. Familiar with the Thalidomide he responded that he had not been a victim nor injured in any way, but malformed congenitally.

"Forgive me Carol", your life is penetrating to say the least. I spend much time at a computer and as a distraction, I initiate a slideshow of photographs on a monitor near me.  If you allow me to take your photograph, I will be rewarded each time your photo appears." Carol responded as though he expected the request, and, with what I can only describe as an "old friends" smile, he quite happily permitted me to take his picture. He asked if he could remove his jacket, which at first puzzled me, but amazement shadowed my curiosity as I watched him unzip it and later zip it up with thumbs only. Although done a little slowly, I could not determine how he did it. It was nonetheless amazing to see and, judging by his filial smile, enjoyable for him to show me! At my request he crossed his arms to expose his hands for the photo.

Carol's wife arrived. An oxygen tank trailed behind her. She was a heavy set woman with a child's face and a manner to go with it. Unexpectedly she interrupted Carol's story in order to express her sadness and discontent with mans inhumanity to man,  unkindness, prejudices, and people judging each other.  So often we hear the term, 'count your blessings'. Frankly, I don't feel counting them should be that difficult for anyone. Recognizing them however is another story. And I am not talking about being appreciative for possessing what others may lack, but rather simply recognizing and honoring with gratitude to God Who is the source of all good things. 

Although the three of us spoke for at least half an hour, I was more than a little overwhelmed with the child-like spirit and charity of these two people and their occasional expression of gratitude to Christ.  I left not only inspired but more aware of my self-centeredness and self-pity.

As we all know, there are countless forms of suffering in the world, suffering from our spiritual disfigurement, suffering from those who abuse, and the suffering of those being abused. Yet, we find God’s love and solace when our hearts remain close to Him, as He cures our souls through joy or through suffering. 

*Thalidomide first appeared in Germany on 1st October 1957. It was marketed as a sedative with apparently remarkably few side effects. The Drug Company that developed it believed it was so safe it was suitable for prescribing to pregnant women to help combat morning sickness. The drug was NOT thoroughly tested however and resulted in Phocomelia, the name given to the flipper-like limbs which appeared on the children of women who took thalidomide. Babies affected by this tragedy were given the name 'Thalidomide Babies'.  I purposely did not include a photo.

May God forgive us.