These are the hands....

This afternoon my Mother and I have enjoyed precious time together, making the  almond paste  to put on her Christmas cake, and here are her ninety year old hands putting the final touches to the cake covering. 

Although she didn't work for the NHS, as referenced by Michael Rosen in his splendid poem, These are the hands , she has done a fair bit of home nursing over the years,  as well as benefitting from the care provided by the NHS. 
The more observant of you  will  notice she  is sporting  an apron she has fashioned from an NHS gown;  one which  my father was wearing   when he returned  home once  from one of his  many hospital stays!