How I Learned To Be Left Handed

When I went to kindergarten, I used my left hand to write and draw, even though the teacher smacked my hand, took the fat pencil and put it in my right hand, but this was a concious decision. I was in the hospital to have tubes put in my ears when I was seven and the guy I shared a room with was in for an amputation operation after a bad farming accident. So I gave my future a little thought, but this was an uneasy time for a child, and I decided to be left handed.

My reasoning was that I could learn to write and draw with my right hand, that was a given, because everyone could do it, but after seeing my maimed roomate, I thought it better to learn to write with my off-hand, just in case I was maimed too. At the time, this seemed very logical. No matter which way things went in my life, I would at least have one good hand.

A Japanese warrior once responded to the charge of cowardess because he used two hands and two swords, he replied, "Am I so great a warrior that I can afford to offend the creator by only using one hand?" I have to agree with him. Two hands are better than one, so why not learn to use both to their best, since I might lose one in an accident just like him. It was a life-changing moment when I decided to be left handed. Some have called me ambidexterious, but this really isn't true. I use my right hand for everything but writing, drawing, and shooting a bow and arrow.

This has provided a few complications in my life here and there. There are no left handed power tools. Scissors are built only for right handed people, but a vehicle with a standard transmission never presented too much trouble, other than the fact that first gear hates me.

So Southpaws unite, I am one of you, even if I joined the ranks by choice rather than inclination.

Doc