husbands

HUSBANDS
The other day my team-mate and I were having lunch in the break-room of one of the stores that we service.
Two youngish girls at the other end of the table were having a conversation about their husbands. We were minding our own business, but we couldn’t help but overhear them. The last sentence we heard as we left was, "Sometimes I wish he was dead!"
Dan and I looked at each other. He said, "I hope my wife has never said that about me. I told him I doubted it. He is a good husband.
Driving home, I couldn’t get what she said out of my mind. It hit a nerve. My husband IS dead. I said a lot of things in the fifty years I knew him (we met in third grade), but never said wished him dead. Thank goodness. I wouldn’t want to live with that regret.
I have wanted to write a column just about him. Someday, maybe. Yet, my ride home brought memories of him that made me smile.
Like the chocolate cake story. Ted was not a man of many words. One of the kids said once or twice, "Dad doesn’t talk much, but you remember every word he says. Not like Mom." (Scratch that last sentence.)
No matter what mealtime was during the week, we had a Sunday dinner. Usually a chuck roast with vegetables, salad and chocolate cake. For years in the winter when we didn’t go to the lake.
I don’t remember anymore what the conversation was. It was a long time ago. The conversation was about food. My husband said, "I never really much cared for chocolate cake."
One of the few times in my marriage I was speechless. Talk about a man of few words.
When I got my voice back, of course I barked, "You deserve to eat chocolate cake every Sunday if you don’t say anything. We have laughed about that every time we have chocolate cake, which is not too often.
That chocolate cake says a lot about the man. It sure proves he was a quiet guy. And, he was very easy to cook for. He was not one to praise, but no complaints, either.
He was always home for dinner, Sundays and weekdays when we did not have cake. He probably said to himself, "thank goodness."
Our great-nephew knew he was reliable and he could always be found. One time when Jake was about two years old, he and his folks were visiting. Ted was sitting in his usual spot at the end of the couch, watching TV.
Jake’s mom said, "You remember Uncle Ted, don’t you?" He pointed at him and said, "uh-uh. He lives there." Another memory that brings a smile. And tells you something about the man at the end of the couch. He was a constant in our lives.
I believe in the circle of life. I know the spirit of my mom and dad and husband are alive and well in my heart, and the hearts of my family. And whether they like it or not. when I’m not here to yak at my kids, they will still hear me.
For almost fourteen years after my granddaughter Paige was born, a brother or sister was hoped for and prayed for. It didn’t seem like it would ever happen.
. Shortly after Ted died, Kelly had a dream her dad was standing behind her. She was in a rocking chair rocking a baby boy. Sam was born a year or so later. He never met his grampa. But be assured, he knows him. The circle of life.
A few words from an angry wife brought me to smiles, and tears, and memories. I hope she is okay. I know I am.
You know what my recipe will not be this week. I know my husband would not like this one, either. But, you know he would try it and not complain.
Sweet Potato Salad from Dr. Zorba
you will need:
1 ½ pound sweet potatoes or Yams (I don’t know the difference, do you?)
½ cup diced onion (has to be purple)
½ cup celery, diced small
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cranberries or craisins
2-3 T x virgin olive oil
2-3 T lemon juice (fresh best, frozen or reconstituted okay)
Bake potatoes. Make sure they are not mushy. Keep solid
Peel and dice potatoes
Mix all ingredients except oil and lemon
Mix oil and lemon juice
Toss salad.
Good with chicken breast
Enjoy