03 may 2019
I was thinking about a memory. Single mom raised me, we'd go to visit cousins frequently, who lived on the same country road. My uncle, Jim, used to hold out his hand for me to shake when we'd go over. I'd reach for it, knowing that he was going to ask me to squeeze his hand as hard as I could. He wouldn't flinch, or show any sign that he could even feel my feeble attempt.
Then it was his turn. He'd crush my little hand until I was on my knees, which took about .5sec. He didn't hurt me, and it was done in fun. I never refused, I thought it was amusing.
Now, I sometimes ask my kids to squeeze my hand as hard as they can. They try and try, but I just stand there. I think they find it funny, and of course there's a little bit of amazement at the dad, which is amusing for me. I don't crush their hand back, it's not much in my nature. Maybe when they get older and they ask me to, I don't know.