When we first got married, all of our counselors were quick to warn us about an inevitable adjustment we would have to make. As a child of a healthy family, and as I enjoyed a close and trusting relationship with my own father, Stephen and I would have to skillfully navigate the unavoidable comparisons and possibly conflicting expectations as I transferred my healthy dependency from dad to husband.
Yesterday, when I came home from work with what is now acting suspiciously like the flu, Stephen was confronted with a comparison that neither one of us saw coming. As I lay on the couch, pajama-clad and wrapped in blankets, depending on my husband for comfort and sustinence, he was forced to compete with the best nurse I (like every child) have ever had--my mother.
It got to be dinner time, and Stephen asked me what I wanted to eat. I stared back, incredulous. Did he even have to ask? I'm sick, what does he think I want to eat? I patiently expressed my desire (chicken noodle soup, with a side of saltines).
The tragedy of misunderstood expectations continued: Stephen did not know that sick people will die if they are not hydrated with lemon-lime Gatorade and Sprite, or that chocolate ice cream heals all diseases, or that homemade ice chips make a great snack.
Stephen has patiently indulged all of my my needs, and has even come up with some good ideas of his own, like moving the TV into the bedroom and feeding me mashed potatoes for dinner.
While obviously the flu is no fun, there is something to be said for the intangible healing powers of regressing to childhood. And on that note, I'm going to have a Sprite while I watch Stephen make dinner.
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Just my thoughts. Take them or leave them.
Who am I?
- Lindsey
- Wife. Daughter. Sister. Teacher. Friend. I'm still trying to figure out the rest.
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7 comments:
In case it was not clear from this post, I am being well taken care of by my thoughtful husband.
Of course you are because you are teaching him how to do it. Husbands do not receive a guidebook from the best man detailing all the ways to take care of a wife, sick or not. They generally wing it. If wife is crying or silent, something is wrong. If wife is smiling or talking, everything's okay. Sick room care is another whole level which we teach to our husbands. You're doing a great job!!
Right now, my hubby is sick, and I have a feeling I'm not doing whatever his mom used to do to make him feel better. I guess I should bust out the chicken soup and chocolate ice cream!
not only can chocolate ice cream heal the flu, it can also really lift your spirits, as i found out earlier this week. i had a super bad day at school and came home and ate a pint of ice cream and 'poof' i was in a better mood. silly husband for not knowing that...
No piling on to the dear husband, please, girls. Just because they can't read your mind does not mean they don't love you. This is information gained from more years married than your ages combined (almost.) By the way, men are terrible patients.
John and I do NOT do well when one of us is sick. The non-sick person always ends up frustrated because the sick person is often a very cranky patient. It's a good thing we're not sick that often.
Interesting to know.
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