Ode to The Thumb…
It’s not that I couldn’t think of a blog topic today, but the 
thumb has been on my mind this week.
What began as my right thumb feeling a little tender last week, as if it had been bruised, turned into a “very serious” infection (per my doctor) 3 days later.
I have no idea how I got it …I haven’t had a manicure so we ruled that out.
By Monday morning, it was apparent that there was some kind of infection. Antibiotics and band-aids, and I am now on the mend.
It was so painful, especially if you even gently bumped it, that I walked around with my thumb in the air as if I was saying “Good job!” to everyone.
It was during this time that I realized how very important the thumb is.
For example, try signing your name with your dominant hand but with your thumb taped to the other fingers. Not easy, huh!
There is an article in the National Science Teachers Association that offers an experiment to show how important thumbs are.
First tape your thumb to your finger.
Some things to try doing are:
*Tying your shoe. I can attest to this. Larry had to tie my gym shoes.
*Signing your name.
*Opening a soft drink can
*Using chopsticks!!!
*Pulling up your pants
*Putting on socks
*Typing- You need that finger for your space bar!
In learning about thumbs, I also took the time to learn what opposable thumbs really meant. We’ve all heard that it’s what separates us from most other animals, but what does that mean? Does it mean that they act against each other?
What it means is that the thumb is the only finger that can “move around to touch the other fingers.”
It allows us to grab things. It’s how we are able to use tools,
One evolutionary biologist believes that our thumb and how are other fingers are in relation to it is why we can do something that very few other animals can… make a fist. And you know what we do with them.
Suffice it to say, my thumb has been under appreciated by me. But… no more.
I might just have to go out and buy a thumb ring.
Spoiler Alert!!!!
Just so you have an idea of what I’m talking about, I’ve included a shot of my thumb- pre-antibiotics.
If you have not eaten, if you are squeamish, or if you are Sharon Tara , I suggest you go no further.
** Very sorry but the photo gremlin has taken over. I'm able to see the photo but apparently you can't. Suffice it to say that it's gross and Sharon Tara would still not want to see it.
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