Gripping things

It was when I broke a wrist that I discovered how extraordinary hands are. How can one not be in awe? A simple desire to cut an apple into slices becomes an engineering mission with just one hand.

Hands holding vessels, holding other hands, grasping curtains, painting, or rinsing off dirt, surprise me. Details like nails, wrinkles, folds, and the puffiness of kids’ hands are a feat to catch. Arms in action, lifting, carrying, working together, or directing an orchestra, speak volumes about the immense capacity of our species to engage with the world around us.