Friday, November 26, 2010

Thanksgiving is a time for the heart. And it's
about being truly thankful for all our blessings.
And thankful that everyone in the family has come
through another year and is able to share the day
together recognizing in so many ways that we're far
more fortunate than many.

Hands

An old man, probably some ninety plus years, sat feebly
on the park bench. He didn't move, just sat with his
head down staring at his hands.

When I sat down beside him, he didn't acknowledge my
presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was ok.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting
to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was ok.
He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," he said in a clear
strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, sir, but you were just
sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make
sure you were ok?" I explained to him.

"Have you ever looked at your hands?" he asked. "I mean
really looked at your hands."

I was a little shocked by his question, I mean every
Chiropractor has looked at his or her hands many times.
But being curious about his question I slowly opened my
hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms
up and then palms down.

He smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have,
how they have served you well throughout your years.
These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have
been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and
grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall
when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a
child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They
tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They dried the tears
of my children and caressed the love of my life.

They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off
to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen
and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to
hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they
showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook
when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my
daughter down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure
when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow
off of my best friend's foot.

They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook
in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have
covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed
the rest of my body.

They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried
and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else
of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down,
and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the
mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will
reach out and take when he leads me home."

I sat for a few minutes thinking about my hands and what
they meant to me as a Chiropractor. Why did I sit next
to this man, and why did I question this man?

No doubt I will never look at my hands the same again.
I never saw the old man again after I left the park that
day but I will never forget him and the words he spoke.
When my hands are hurt or sore from working out, or when
I stroke the face of my loved ones, I think of the man in
the park.

As I celebrate Thanksgiving Day this year, I plan on giving
special thanks for all the patients I was able to help with
my hands, and all the Chiropractors who touch people's lives
and share a love and understanding of Chiropractic and its
philosophy.

I will give thanks for the Hands God has given me to share
Chiropractic with others, enabling me to serve my family,
my friends, and my fellow chiropractors. My thoughts and my
prayers go out to each and everyone of you, for your health
and well being in this season.

I wish you all a most Fulfilling Thanksgiving.
Dr. Erich

FEEDBACK:

Dear Dr. Erich,
When I look at my hands I thank GOD for all that I have helped and the many more that I will help through successful implemenation of your 'caring hands' - that you have shared with us to truly make a difference.
Thank you and see you soon in LA, Mark Chalfant

Happy Thanksgiving Dr Eric, I have been reading your emails for the past 9 months or so and they have helped me transform my life and my practice. This Thanksgiving email was very moving. Thank you,
Dr Bob Graham

Thank U Bro,
This story is really touching
And means so much to each and everyone
Of us the handsonpractors (chiropractors).
God Bless U
Dr. Ronen Mendi

Wonderful letter Dr. Erich, thanks for another inspirational message !
Wishing you and your family a very safe and happy holidays...
Warmly,
Ranjiv Bains