SOL26-0106
Have you ever used one of those sleek fast-drying, high-efficiency commercial hand dryers? The ones they have in airports? Then what follows will resonate with you.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Character #1: ATN – That’s me and I live in Oregon
Character #2: MWJ – She’s my college roommate from Arkansas
Character #3: TST – He’s my little brother who lives in Brooklyn
Character #4: ARC – She’s a professional friend who lives in El Paso
SCENE 1
ATN is on a layover at Chicago O’Hare Airport. She writes about her hand drying experience.
“Just dried my hands under an air blower/dryer… Never, ever used such a forceful blower before! The force of the air was so great I thought it was going to blow my rings off. I literally curled my fingers to prevent them from flying off.”
SCENE 2
MWJ notices the post and responds with an informative comment.
“Must have been one of the new Dyson blowers..I think that’s what they are called. I have used them at the airports and other places. Could have ripped the skin right off. Is it the one where you raise your hands up and down? Quick dry!”
SCENE 3
TST, is scrolling his Feeds tab and pauses to make an observation with a bit of humor about age.
“They show your age by the way your skin flaps.”
ARC is reading her Feeds tab, sees the thread, and laughs with words.
“Too funny! Truth, TST!”
SCENE 4
ATN has checked into the Radisson, unpacked, and is ready to relax and catch up on her Home tab on social media. She notices comments on her post, reads the thread, and responds.
“LOL, MWJ and TST, you guys literally make me laugh.”
SCENE 5
An hour goes by and MWJ is back in the conversation.
“Welllll… ATN … TST is correct. A much younger person was standing next to me using the other dryer….I noticed her young hands and she was looking at mine. I smiled and said, ‘Hon…that’s what your pretty 20-year-old hands have to look forward to in about 45 years.’ She smiled and walked away…. going out the door, she turned and said, ‘Your hands are beautiful. They remind me of my grandmother’s hands. She is no longer with me. I am sorry I stared at them.’ Then she came back and gave me a hug.”
ATN responds.
“MWJ, that brought tears to my eyes. That is beautiful!”
Postscript: ATN knows all the characters, but none of the characters know one another.
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Please share below.
This is such a powerful slice – – it reminds me of the poem Hands by Sarah Key. It’s truly beautiful to share these sacred moments across the generational skin flapping ages.
“Sacred moments.” I like that. So often in the rush of life, we miss those moments.
I often notice my skin flapping in those dryers & usually I worry about how old they look. I love this exchange and the change in perspective at the end.
Yes, me too. I’ve finally arrived at that place in life where I must age with grace and therein will be my beauty. It’s a matter of my mindset supporting my perspective.
This is a fun conversation about those mighty hand dryers. I am watching my hands slowly become like my mother’s hands, wrinkled and soft. I hope they are as gently loved as the young girl in your story.
Accepting the wrinkling softness is an adjustment. I’ve come to the place that I’m thankful I still have strength in my hands.
What a lovely slice you have captured here- who would guess that hand dryers could inspire such emotive responses.
Thank you. It is interesting what can prompt an exchange between strangers.