We hear the phrase, “You’re in good hands…” What does that really mean? How often do you look at your hands and appreciate their beauty, strength, skill, reliability and capacity to express love? What do your hands reveal about you?

I’ll never forget a time back in the late 90s when I was a single mom, traveling for my training management career, and I was on a plane to Denver. I was sitting next to a good-looking man and we were talking (yes, I was flirting a little!). We got on the subject of age, and I coyly asked him to guess how old I was (I know, that’s the stupidest thing to ask someone…you’re rarely happy with the answer). He guessed I was 45-46 years old, and he was right! I asked him how he knew, and he said, “I looked at your hands. Everyone’s age is written on their hands.” I never forgot that profound statement. You can get a new wardrobe, new hair style, face lift, neck lift, or eye lift, but it doesn’t change your hands. The hands tell all…and I think that’s a good thing.

Do you protect your hands from the sun’s rays? If you’re like me, you slather sunscreen on everywhere EXCEPT your hands! I wear gloves in the cool mornings when I take the dogs on a run, and I wear gardening gloves — mostly to protect my nails. I recently went through a phase of getting regular manicures, and I even tried gel on my nails. Boy, was that a mistake! My fingernails do not like gel, unfortunately, because gel, while certainly lasting longer than regular nail polish, is not good for my nails. When I had the gel removed, my nails were so weak they chipped and tore off. Now I keep my nails clean from any nail polish. Clarification: I do paint my toe nails. Polish doesn’t seem to bother my toes. Currently I’m into periwinkle blue polish.

I appreciate a relaxing manicure. So many women, young and old, are having fun with nail art. Are you a nude polish or intricate nail art woman?

I’m proud of my garden digging/computer typing/style consulting/loving/dog playing/running/cooking/dish washing/house cleaning/weed pulling hands. I do shit with my hands! And it shows.

I love these HAND images by Marty Cohen. Please take a look at his beautiful photographs. Marty Cohen’s Hands Photography

What do you love about your hands?