I'm not exactly sure what the metaphor is here, but I will say that there have been times in my life when I seem to be helpful to everyone around me except for the one person who may need it the most. Sometimes it's easier to be there for the acquaintances, coworkers, and strangers in our lives than it is our wives, husbands and significant others. So "yes," there have been times when I've been holding the wrong hand. -if this is what you mean. I'm glad the spousal unit made it through. What a great story. You often hear of hospital mix-ups regarding patients and medications, which is awful, but I have never heard of it from this perspective. -pretty funny really.
Thanks tng, yeah it was pretty funny. And yes, there are times when we are holding the wrong hand. The hand-holding metaphor could be taken your way. Another metaphor might be a situation in which we are hanging on to a hand that has let go of us a long time ago.
I like that, like phantom limb. They may have let go but you're still convinced you're holding on. For me, I'll have to find a hand first before I can answer this question!