Skin (Salty Water Part 3 – People)

She hesitates at the keyboard, not wanting to find the words.

It’s their skin she’ll miss.

Everyone looked the same when they first arrived, just like they say all gringos look the same. It’s been a running joke in the family.

‘What do they look like?’ when trying to place a face.

‘Tanned skin, dark hair, brown eyes,’ always the same answer.

Now each of those tanned skins is so much more. Each has a name and something unique and special they have added to her life.

A warm embrace. A hello kiss. An arm grabbed in excitement. An arm slung around a shoulder. A friendly slap. A cheeky nudge.

So many. The swimmers, the triathletes, the school families, the small groups, the church, the guys guarding the houses on the street, the lady selling flowers in the market.

Hands clasped tight. Heads are bowed. Hearts heavy. Bringing pain, worry, suffering, joy and hope to the One who knows. Hands clasped tight. Don’t want to let go.

Those salty tears flow. They drip freely onto the table as the preciousness of those clasped hands squeeze her heart.

Lord, clasp them tight these tanned skin hands.

And as those final goodbye hugs and kisses start, she knows it’s just skin she’ll miss. For those hands are so much more then skin, and that so much more she can take with her everywhere and anywhere. Will stay with her always, and forever.