A Tribute

In our lives most days are weighted by the so-called

Task at hand. We are forced in a way by that which

Has been previously assigned us to perform—week-

Ends filled with shopping, running errands, yard work,

Home repairs, doing things we need to prepare for the

Upcoming week at work. Mostly, the time spent on

Our livelihood is pre-planned with a routine of sorts—

Clock in and out, the meat of the day filled-in with

Assignments we’re pre-programed to do, often with-

Out much emotion or thought. There are those tasks

Of course which demand more focus, scrutiny and

Consideration, but for the purpose of the point I wish

To make here, let’s just say that most of our time spent

During a normal day borders on the ordinary and mun-

Dane. For those disabled or retirees such as I, the task

On which we often rely is to try something, anything

Differently to keep one day from making every day feel

The same. For me, today I have chosen to focus primarily

On my mainly predominant hand. I will begin by naming

This, Left Hand Monday, February, this 20 th day in the

Year 2017. I hereby type an entry on my computer in

Remembrance of this illustrious occasion, enacting this,

My defining proclamation, to extol the virtuous and faith-

Ful performance rendered by my left hand which, as I live

And breath, will ever be appreciated by me. Having been

Attached to me throughout this life-long exercise has with

A great degree of certainty not always been easy. It is with

My sincerest gratitude to all members—four stealthy fin-

Gers, a multi-dexterous opposing thumb, and ofttimes sop-

Ping, sweaty palm tasked with holding the talented ensem-

Ble together, I bestow this tribute of fondness, gratitude

And affinity upon you. My Left Hand, we ate, wrote and

Drew together. We washed, scratched and picked side-

By-side. We lifted, hauled, hammered and punched,

Wiping a bloody nose or two, walked with lovers hand-

In-hand. What on Earth would I have done without you?

Let it be known by all, given this magnanimous yet ridicu-

Lously self-centered decree, in all actuality (and I have to

Hand it to you), I would never have had even the hint of a

Decent grasp on this life without you. Only thing was, when

I was able in my younger years, I threw and batted my base-
Ball right-handed.

Chris Hanch 2-20-17