12 Comments
Dec 7, 2021Liked by Valerie Monroe

I love this. I especially love that you linked to CLIMATE CHANGE from NASA and I bought 3x neurtrogena (free shipping!) and the dishwashing gloves. My hands are like sandpaper from all the hand sanitizer. And I love your mom.

Expand full comment
Feb 28, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

Me too! I loved my mother's hands that were soft, papery and veiny as she got older. As I mentioned in another post, I look at my hands and see her hands. And like you, it's a reminder how much I miss my mom while also glad that she seems to always be with me. My fave kitchen gloves? HMart for $2.99! https://www.hmart.com/20030002

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Valerie Monroe

Thanks to my email correspondence with you on my second deployment, I remember a point at which I was in my office in my workout uniform instead of camo, and someone noticed that my hands weren't several shades darker than the rest of my arm. I said I'd been using a hand lotion with sunscreen on them, and I think several of my colleagues followed my lead shortly thereafter.

Expand full comment
Dec 7, 2021Liked by Valerie Monroe

Sending love to you, Val. Your mom is very much missed. <3

Expand full comment
Dec 7, 2021Liked by Valerie Monroe

I’ve got to hand it to you—you’ve given me some great items to add to the Neutrogena cream and Casabella gloves that I already depend on to protect my hands and nails. Now it’s time for the cocktail ring!

Expand full comment

What a beautiful read. I love my grandmothers veiny hands. I feel such peace when her hands hold mine. I never want to lose that.

Expand full comment