Calluses are defined as a toughened area of skin that has become thick and hard in response to repeated pressure. Now these calluses, quite frankly, are a rather gross thing. Boys love them, girls generally not so much. We are taught that soft skin is what is beautiful. Well, the other day we took a train. Now this train ride was quite interesting. Many stories will come later I am sure. However, one little part of this train ride that I will never forget is carrying my luggage and some extra boxes and items to and from the train station. Now, I dropped stuff all over these train stations. Clothing and fabric were going everywhere. We all lugged our bags up and down these never ending stairs and all over the place. By the time we got inside the train we were so very tired and sore. My hands hurt to bend them and my palms were rubbed raw from the strain. The next day was even worse when we had to repeat the process on the new wounds. Now, these little sore parts on our hands were nothing. They were not serious or dangerous or even incredibly painful, but the process was not very fun. It’s very similar to all that we are learning here and all that we are growing. We are coming face to face with our own challenges, our own pasts, our own struggles, and our own fears. It’s a painful process and sometimes not very fun, but it’s all a part of living–and afterwards we will be toughened to do G-d’s will–just like a callus. Thankfully, we are all fortunate to have each other to grow off of, to support each other, and to help each other when we are not feeling very tough. So in my mind and in my heart, these calluses are quite beautiful.
