I bit my fingernails for many years. We moved every couple of years (4 elementary schools, 1 junior high, 2 high schools). I was an introvert and a driven over-achiever. I finally quit in my early 20’s because I wanted a picture of our new wedding rings the day we got married. Of course, by then I was smoking cigarettes, so that helped.
I’ve never been comfortable with long fingernails. They don’t feel natural. And I don’t really see the point of fingernail polish. It just gets chipped on me.
Several years ago, I worked with a pottery teacher. I messed up a pot once with my fingernails. After that I cut them really short. I still do. And I don’t polish them, except for my daughters’ weddings.
My toenails are another story. Because of the arthritis in my hands, I used to cut my toenails so badly that twice I had ingrown toenails. The podiatrist told me I should get pedicures. I asked if insurance would pay for it. It doesn’t. It should–it’s cheaper than what the podiatrist had to do. So now I have beautiful toenails with polish (red for the holidays). Doctor’s orders.
The human body has a few flaws, I think. Knees are a weak point, easily worn out or injured. Hair turning gray seems pointless. Joints wearing out even if you eat right and exercise is kind of unfair. But fingernails and toenails? Why do they have to keep growing?
I have a list of questions in my head that I’m saving to ask God when I die. Why did my sister die at 18? What about congenital heart defects? Mental illness? Hitler? War? Cancer? AIDS? Also, I’m compiling a list of body parts that need to evolve some more (see above).
I say that heaven will be knowing “Why?”.
A friend says maybe heaven will be not needing to know.
Amma Ponders 
My first thought, when I saw the title of this, was that the title was racy and edgy! And I wondered what would follow. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes my “why” questions aren’t answered and sometimes I really, really, don’t need to know the answer.
That’s me–racy and edgy. I was stuck for a title and Mike came up with this one. I knew it would get people’s attention!
The insights/reminders in my stuff are always for me 1st, but I’m glad it touched you, too.
Always did bite my nails and still do……………I would like to tell some people to Bite Me for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am being good.
Then I’m proud of you! This parenting thing never does end. I’m not sure I really understood that!
Nope it never ends, the bigger they get the bigger the problems get.
Wow. Wonderful post. Gave me chills.
I’m a nail biter. Always have been. I agree that the design of the human body isn’t perfect, but then I think it’s the product of evolution. Perhaps that evolution was set in motion by a supreme being. . . but I still think our back-knee-foot problems are the result of a four-legged creature imperfectly adapted to walking on two feet.
I think you’re exactly right. We are a work in progress.
And this imperfect body can also dance! Always worth the effort, even when our knees creak.
Or when we pay the price the next week. Never say die!