Earlier today, I was sitting in my orthopedist's office. He was going to give me another cortisone shot in my hand for a 'trigger finger' problem. Hopefully, the third time would be a charm.
As I waited for the doctor, I looked down at my left hand and noticed the various imperfectioms.
- The V-shaped scar on the middle knuckle is from a weird soda bottle versus glass incident after an AC/DC concert in 1980. Getting stiches at Fort Bragg was quite the adventure. Neary self-service.
- Lots on scar lines from having cats for 20 years and losing some of the play fights.
- Some deep ridges from fingernail scratches. Mostly basketball opponents with long nails trying to steal the ball. That didn't happen and they got my flesh instead.
- One notably crooked pinky finger that was crushed in a basketball game in Chatsworth, CA in 1987. A big dude landed on it when we dove for a loose ball.
- A bump on the left side on my hand from a 'boxer' fracture in 1979. I found my Army mate drunk and asleep in his car. Fearing the MPs might nab him, I attempted to get him to his room. He didn't like the idea and slugged me. I punched him back. Hence, the fracture. He got a nice black eye for his trouble. After they set the break, I got a cast.
- There are more scars along my knuckles from a tobogganing accident in 1970. I was steering the toboggan and the friend behind my decided to cover my eyes with his mittens. This took us off the path and into the woods. I cut up my hand and busted a wrist blasting into a tree.
- In 1991, I was watching the Giants/Bills Super Bowl at my parent's house. When the Bills kicker missed an easy, last-minute field goal giving the Giants the win, I jumped up with excitement and banged my knuckes on the ceiling. I left blood stains in that sandy white ceiling paint and a line of small scars on my knuckles.
- There's a dot of pencil lead buried my palm from 1976. The kid behind me thought it would be funny to stab my hand during high school biology class. We're now friends on Facebook.
It's interesting what tales one hand can tell just by looking at it. Not to mention all the things this hand has grabbed, held and touched over the years.
