Kisses from the sun

The other night when I was putting Ella to bed she asked me why my hands were rough. I told her it was because I washed them a thousand times a day... from cleaning, working in the yard, working at the market, from just being a Momma. She looked at me for a moment then asked "Why do you have so many dots on your face?" I smiled and said "Freckles? They are kisses from the sun." That sufficed her for a moment...she then looked at me and said; "When I grow up, I want to have dots on my face and rough hands like you." I chuckled and told her that I hope she did...
I've been thinking about those comments the last few days. My first reaction from hearing this was: "I'm not getting old!" The deeper I've thought about it I've realized that these hands I have are a blessing to me and my family. I'm grateful that they are rough. They tell a story about my life. I work hard. I play hard. I love hard. I learn the hard way (My dad always told me that). I have held my babies, wiped away tears, held hands with Andy. I've been able to do so much.
I'm grateful for these kisses from the sun on my skin...I've been able to experience the outdoors, explore, live, run, swim, be, work, build, garden. Stand in the earth and feel the sun on my face, my skin. my soul. I feel grounded. I feel whole. I have nothing to hide...just look...it shows on my rough hands and kissed face.