In a power outage you soon realize all the things that run on power. My first reaction to a power outage is to think “Ok this will be alright. We will just have our meal by candlelight.” But then I need to finish preparing the meal and I realize that I cannot open a can without the can opener. (The hand can opener is pack who knows where with the camping stuff) I can’t warm up my meal in the microwave. But that’s ok, I will do it the old fashion way; on the stove. Great! The stove is electric too. Every move I make during that power outage I realize that I never think about needing power to do the things I do everyday. I even reach for a light switch automatically, though I know it won’t work. My actions have become automatic. I have taken power for granted.
“You never know what you have until it’s not there.”
I had a week just like that. It was not a power outage however; it was my husband I was missing. As he planned his trip away I thought, I will just spend this time getting things done. I will finally be alone with my thoughts. No one to take care of……or so I thought. In the first day or two it became very clear, all the things he does for me that I take for granted. See I have it doubly bad. I not only live with Jay, but I also work with him everyday. So from the simple things like waking up along side him, or him rubbing the stress out of my neck at night; to all the chores at the shop like running to UPS or the post office or checking all the tuxedos in, I was painfully aware of his absence.
Most of those things I don’t think about everyday. Most of them I don’t thank him for.
A friend of mine once had a problem with her husband always leaving his shoes in the middle of the room, where she would trip over them. One day after tripping, she thought “what if something happened to my husband and those shoes were not there anymore? How would I feel then.” From that day forward she was glad when she ran across his shoes. It meant he was there.
I have another friend who’s husband just accepted a job far away. It was an important financial decision for them right now but she has to be without him for weeks at a time. I’m sure her days are filled with his shadow. The foot prints of where he always was.
DO NOT wait until your spouse is gone to realize where they are and what they are doing in your life. Even in the worst relationships there are things that are good. Things you would miss.
Today, take a mental note of each and every little detail of what your spouse does for you. Maybe even write it down. Then Thank them for it!
Thankfully, I am picking Jay up from the airport tomorrow. After almost 9 days of missing him, I will give him the biggest hug, and thank him for all he does. And you can bet I will be taking a mental note this week of every little thing.
…………..He’s Home! : )