Lately I have heard a lot of people talk about presence of mind, mindfulness, and other fancy terms that I think are really just telling us to stop and smell the roses.
The other night, I was attempting to be present with my husband and daughter while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. That’s when I realized something my husband is really good at. (I mean, aside from organized sports and removing foreign objects from people’s eyes.) It’s saying thank you for the little things.
That night, while I was feeling extra glamorous scrubbing a pan, he came up and said “thank you for cleaning up, Babe.” It was such a seemingly small gesture, but exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. After all, don’t we all just yearn to be appreciated? To have our efforts acknowledged when we’re exhausted from the day and don’t feel like we have another ounce to give?
(Our second anniversary date in Las Vegas.)
I’m far from a marriage expert, but I think a little thank-you goes a long way. A simple thank-you for those daily, often monotonous household tasks can help keep us from taking each other for granted (or feeling taken for granted). So thank you, my dear husband, for making me a better person just by being around you. Now teach me to be a star athlete.
A HOUSE WITH CHARACTER 