I'm thrilled that today was such an "easy" day. I was able to finish a wonderful book, which I am highly recommending. It's "Three Weeks with my Brother," writtend by Nicholas and Michah Sparks. Nicholas Sparks is the same guy who wrote The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe. This particular book is actually a biography about his trip around the world in three weeks with his brother. Although it was not necessarily a page-turner, it was very enjoyable.
I've been so anxious to finish reading it, and Tom gave me the opportunity to do so. Granted it was only 40 some pages, but that time let me finish it. He also watched Ellie for me so I could go to a Weight Watchers meeting. He was a lot more helpful today than I'm used to, and it was definitely noticed. He folded laundry, took over watching Ellie for a bit, consistently walked the dogs, made dinner and washed the dishes. Its actually the dish washing that I wanted to talk about though.
As odd as that may seem, a task so simple and mundane, I'm very particular about the dishes being clean. A habit I picked up from my mother. Its not one that I regret having either. I love the look of a clean and orderly kitchen. It makes me feel comfortable. I have a big issue when dishes are put into the dishwasher and come out with stuff still on them. Sometimes it's because the dishwasher is too full, others, are simply because the dang dishwasher isn't very reliable. Tom has heard me time and time again get frustrated with our dishwasher. Recently I've noticed we haven't really been having an issue with the dishes coming out crappy. He mentioned today though, and quite nonchalantly I might add, that he pre-washes/scrubs them with detergent/soap BEFORE he puts them in the dishwasher. That's going above and beyond what I even do. I will scrub them so no food is left on the dish, but not with soap.
I never realized the effort he was putting into this simple task. This effort, by the way, was only being put forth because of me, and to make me happy. I was thinking today about things that irritate me, and of course there are some habits of his I would love for him to quit, and I felt horrible that I was even concentrating on them. I remember being angry with him for something yesterday, and it took some real memory jogging to remember. I remember that I was angry with him all day because of it, and yet, it took me over fifteen minutes to remember it today. It made me realize how silly it is to hold on to something so small. Things pass. My mother always told me, "pick your battles," and in hindsight, I've realized how petty I've been, and the reasons leading up to my anger.
Tom never came out right and said, "Hey. Look at the extra effort I'm doing to make you happy." He just did it. Things like that are what I need to remember and concentrate on. The negative things will come and will just as quickly, go. Keeping in mind the things he does for me out of consideration of what actually make me happy and content... well, that should be a constant thought.
Today is done, tomorrow is another one. Forget about all the negative things that you don't want to deal with or even like about a person. If you can bring to memory just one pleasant thought or idea about that person, that relationship is worth it.
Good night.
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