A very painful issue with my back has prevented me from completing daily activities recently. Trips to the doctor, pain medicines, injections…oh, the misery of it all! I am thankful God gives wisdom and knowledge to doctors who can help me feel better. I am discouraged by the length of time my body takes to heal. Yet, while the pain and grouchiness settle into my body, I pause and find moments to laugh.
My sweet husband has been taking care of day to day household chores. Both of us have been amazed at all he has learned. Things like learning where my sock drawer and underwear drawer are located. We each have our own dressers and he never has reason to open mine. But this past week, among many daily tasks, Alan has washed laundry, folded and put away our clothing and prepared and cooked many meals. He has learned about locations he never knew existed.
“Oh, that’s where you keep the socks?” or “Where does the underwear go?” I have patience and try not to giggle too hard as he gathers clothing to wash and drops half of the underwear and socks on the floor as he carries items to the washer. He is working hard, completing each task without a single complaint. What a great guy!!
When he looks at me with the sweetest smile and says, “Can’t you wash the dark color clothes and the white clothes together? That would make things easier.” , I have to chuckle. I explain the reasoning for “sorting” the clothing. He understands and continues helping.
One of his biggest accomplishments during this time has been ironing. Watching Alan pick up pants and shirts that are wrinkled, holding them in the air and giving the once over, up and down gaze, he states, “These look okay. I can wear these pants to work.”
“No dear. I am not sending you to your professional job with pants that look like they have been sitting in a wet ball for years.”
He agrees and begins to learn to iron. Once again, patience is needed. Patience by Alan and by me. He learns to use the iron slowly and even though making one pair of pants look good takes him a while to accomplish, I am proud of him. I think he is happy with his progress, too, but will be happier when I am feeling all better.
Yes, I am blessed with a very kind, compassionate, caring husband. He may not want to learn to iron. He would wear wrinkled clothes everyday if he could. He doesn’t complain while he asks “What’s next? How can I help you?” What a true gentleman! Thank You God, for this man and his caring ways.
So, if you ever have a time when someone else has to take over your daily routine, give thanks for helpers and remember to find the giggles along the way.
Blessings,
Mimi
I’m so sorry you’re still having problems, Melissa. I’ve had two back surgeries, so I feel your pain. For me, the less I laid around the better I felt. Walking and Aleve helped me to recover much faster. Yes, we’re blessed that our men know how to step up to the plate and take charge, aren’t we? Praying for you.
Thank you for your prayers Jill. Back issues have bothered me for many years. This time is a really bad flareup. Hopefully the doctor will be able to figure out something today. 🙂 Yes, movement helps keep the discs from stiffening. Walking slowly for a short amount of time helps. Have a blessed week dear friend!
I’m sorry about your back. I hope it improves soon.
Thank you so much. I am hoping and praying today will bring relief from pain. Have a blessed week! 🙂
So very sorry to hear about your back! I have to say I admire your patience as a couple. Such a fine example of a blessed marriage!
We have to find humor in these situations. Even while my back is hurting, my husband can make me laugh. Have a blessed week! 🙂
That is very sweet. <3 What a guy!
I hope you feel better soon.
Thank you Cathe. He is a sweet guy! Have a blessed week! 🙂
I’m sorry it’s been such a miserable time for you with your back. I can imagine that becoming very frustrating when it limits your daily life so much. I guess at least it’s become quite the adventure for Alan, uncovering new lands (around the home), learning the importance clothes colour separation in the washing, and honing his ironing skills. Good job, Alan, not everyone would do such a stand up job and step up when needed. This made for sweet reading, and I’m glad you two have each other 🙂
xx
Thank you so much. Alan is a great husband. We’ve been married for over 39 years and he continues to give me special treatment everyday. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
How sweet! Hope you feel better soon. 🙂
Thank you. Another trip to the dr. today. MRI scheduled for tomorrow. Have a blessed week! 🙂
I hope this finds you on the mend. Husbands need to know this stuff and I’m glad he is willing to learn. My husband made dinner last week. I was busy on a grandchild’s field trip and it was his job. He seemed surprised but did a great job Sometimes I do wonder what they would do without us though, ha ha.
I have been laughing because after being married over 39 years, we can still learn something new about each other. He is truly an amazing husband. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Hope you are better soon! Thank heavens for loving husbands. <3
Amen. Thanking God for a wonderful husband. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Oh, isn’t it such a blessing to have a husband who is willing to step up and take over? My husband has been such a blessing too. I appreciate your advice to find the laughter in all of those moments, though. It truly does make a difference if I can remember to giggle instead of grumping! You and your husband remain in my prayers. May the Lord bring you sweet relief!
Thank you so much Bettie. We appreciate your prayers. Finding laughter can be tough at times, but if we look hard enough, we can find something to make us smile. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Hope you get better soon. What a blessing your husband is. That’s what love is all about.
Thank you Crissy. Yes, Alan is truly a blessing. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Blessings to you Mimi. ❤️
Good advice from a very blessed woman.
🙂 I am truly blessed. Have a blessed week! 🙂
What a prince of a husband. You are truly blessed, dear Mimi. Prayers for healing still going up. Love you! xoxo
I agree. He’s a prince. 🙂 Thank you for your prayers. MRI was completed yesterday. The doctors had to give me “relax” medicine for the MRI so I am still sleepy today. Waiting to hear from the doctor with the results. Have a blessed week!
I’m not a fan of MRIs either! Praying for a good report. Love you, Mimi. 🙏🏻❤️
I hope you’re feeling better soon! This has obviously been an incredible opportunity to see what your husband is made of ;). I’m also blessed with a sweet man who asks those magical words you mention above: “What’s next? How can I help you?” What a gift those 2 questions are!
Thank you. We’ve been married for over 39 years and grow more in love everyday. He is a true gentleman and I am thankful. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
I agree, Melissa. A true gentleman is a gift to be grateful for! When I broke my ankle a few years ago Mario did so much for me and around the house, even though his work was at its busiest time! Couldn’t have done it without him!!
What a blessing to have Mario help you when your ankle was broken! Have a blessed week! 🙂
Feel better soon, Mimi. Glad you have such a helpful and agreeable helper!
Thank you. Waiting for dr. to call back to schedule more injections. Have a blessed day! 🙂
I enjoyed your story. The story shows love in a marriage and a willingness to do what is needed even if it is out of your comfort zone! But, this applies not just to the married couples.
When my wife broke her arm, my young son helped her with the cooking. The result of that was him becoming a chef!
Sorry about your wife’s broken arm, but what a blessing to have your son help with the cooking. Then, the result of him becoming a chef. Wow! Awesome! Have a blessed day!
You’re so blessed to have him. God bless you both through this time!
Thank you Nancy. I had more back injections yesterday. Still sore today but am walking more each day. Have a blessed day!
This just warmed my heart and reminded me of my dad. Dad had to become the caregiver of Mom later in life and learned to do the laundry as well. Such a sweet reminder of how helping with the daily tasks are just as grand of a gesture (if not even more) than diamonds and tropical vacations! I hope you are feeling better!
Thank you Lynn. My Daddy always helped my Mama, too. Precious memories. They are both in Heaven now. Alan is truly a blessing to me. He always helps me, even with small tasks. Have a blessed day!
I love this! Patience really IS such a virtue.
Yes, I agree. Patience really IS a virtue. Have a blessed day!
Ouch Melissa – our backs are connected to everything – I pray you heal quickly and fully in God Holy name.
I recognise myself in your comments about the helpful husband – while I may not be as helpful as he, I do ask those same questions when “helping” – where does X go? how do you do why?
Thank you for you patience and for reminding me, in my own frustrations with others, to show more patience
Thank you Bob. I think helping each other is a true blessing. Showing God’s love in simple tasks can be such a wonderful act of love. Have a blessed day!
I empathize with you Melissa! I have a herniated disc in my back which is really acting up right now. I am a single parent of a wonderful 17 year old boy who helps (sometimes) around the house, but I have had to do most of the work myself and am very thankful for the strength God gives me each day. But when my son asks questions about washing reds with whites, and “it should be OK if I use cold water, right?” really makes me chuckle as well. 🙂 Praise the Lord for HIS sense of humor sometimes!
So true. God does have a sense of humor and I am thankful to be able to laugh at myself, too. Hope your back feels better soon. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
It is miserable to be sick and it certainly can be when we have to rely on others. But what a joy it is to allow others – especially those who love us – to serve and learn how to be a help. I pray you get better, Melissa; I’m so grateful you have a husband willing to love and serve you!
Thank you Marcie. I truly am blessed by Alan and my whole family. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Melissa!
Feel better soon, Melissa. Blessings to you!
Thank you Boma! Have a blessed day! 🙂
I’m so sorry about your painful back problems. But thank you for sharing this beautiful glimpse into the mutual love and grace displayed in your relationship. It’s inspiring!
Thank you Chloe! 🙂 I am feeling better today. Have a blessed day!
Great job, Alan! I was in a situation similar to Alan’s after my wife’s surgery several years ago. I don’t think I did quite as much as him, but I remember it’s a role we men are happy to fulfill for our wives and families. I was also thankful for the patient direction/guidance of my wife. I hope you get back to normal soon. I know you’d rather be back in your own groove.
Thank you Stephen! 🙂 I know I appreciate all the help Alan gives me and I am sure your wife appreciates your help, too. We are blessed with special spouses and families. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love your last line: “So, if you ever have a time when someone else has to take over your daily routine, give thanks for helpers and remember to find the giggles along the way.” It’s sad when the invalid complains while others are trying to help them. It takes patience on the part of the injured to watch someone else do the tasks they normally do much better and more easily, but learning to appreciate the efforts of others is such a great skill to have. Being thankful in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in and even “finding the gigglles” makes life peaceful, bright, and joyful. Such a great post and such a sweet marriage. God bless you and help you to heal quickly and completely.
Thank you Anneliese. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who helps me in many ways. Finding joy in the little things is a true blessings. Have a blessed day!
Oh my this made me giggle. Your husband sounds like mine:). I’m so sorry to hear about your back. I will be praying!
Thank you. I am feeling better. Still moving slower than usual. Alan is still a great help. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!