Sweet things my husband does
Tonight Patrick and I participated in a Vocations panel for a parish nearby, where junior high school students were able to ask us, a religious Sister and a priest anything they wanted about our respective vocations.
I think it well fairly well, due mostly to my well-spoken husband jumping in and clarifying my garbled responses.
For example:
Teen: How did you know you were supposed to get married?
Me: Well, that's a tricky question to answer as an individual, because it took the two of us to decide that. I guess, with prayer... (trails off awkwardly)
Patrick: For starters, we loved each other. And because we loved each other so much, we couldn't imagine not being married. It seemed to just fit.
Me (laughing nervously at my realization of my wild admission): Oh, right, we love each other!
True story. Thanks, Patrick-dear.
He has a way of doing things just like that -- fixing things so I don't look like a complete fool. He also has a way of surprising me with such simple but lovely gestures.
About two weeks ago, he asked me what I was doing. I was, surprisesurprise!, sitting in front of the computer and reading blog posts of friends and complete strangers. He asked if I would mind staying put for about half an hour. Of course, I didn't mind.
When I came downstairs, this is what I saw:
He had decorated the windowsill with some leftover boughs, the icons of St. Francis and St. Clare (given to me by my now-Franciscan Sister friend, purchased in Assisi!), an icon of Our Lady given to us by the former director of our college when we got engaged.
And...
the Bible stand that he had just made. He decided it would be nice to have the Bible kept at the table for us to read at the beginning of our meals, so he went ahead and made it from the scrap wood he found in the house.
He then set the table with the runner made by my lovely sister, a sweet beeswax candle and our china with a little Christmas dessert on it for each of us -- a little impromptu date at home.
It was a small gesture, but I was so honoured by it. He really is a good husband to me.
So the next time a teenager asks me, "How did you know you were called to marry him?" I hope to give a better answer:
"Because he's Patrick, that's why."
I think it well fairly well, due mostly to my well-spoken husband jumping in and clarifying my garbled responses.
For example:
Teen: How did you know you were supposed to get married?
Me: Well, that's a tricky question to answer as an individual, because it took the two of us to decide that. I guess, with prayer... (trails off awkwardly)
Patrick: For starters, we loved each other. And because we loved each other so much, we couldn't imagine not being married. It seemed to just fit.
Me (laughing nervously at my realization of my wild admission): Oh, right, we love each other!
True story. Thanks, Patrick-dear.
He has a way of doing things just like that -- fixing things so I don't look like a complete fool. He also has a way of surprising me with such simple but lovely gestures.
About two weeks ago, he asked me what I was doing. I was, surprisesurprise!, sitting in front of the computer and reading blog posts of friends and complete strangers. He asked if I would mind staying put for about half an hour. Of course, I didn't mind.
When I came downstairs, this is what I saw:
He had decorated the windowsill with some leftover boughs, the icons of St. Francis and St. Clare (given to me by my now-Franciscan Sister friend, purchased in Assisi!), an icon of Our Lady given to us by the former director of our college when we got engaged.
And...
the Bible stand that he had just made. He decided it would be nice to have the Bible kept at the table for us to read at the beginning of our meals, so he went ahead and made it from the scrap wood he found in the house.
He then set the table with the runner made by my lovely sister, a sweet beeswax candle and our china with a little Christmas dessert on it for each of us -- a little impromptu date at home.
It was a small gesture, but I was so honoured by it. He really is a good husband to me.
So the next time a teenager asks me, "How did you know you were called to marry him?" I hope to give a better answer:
"Because he's Patrick, that's why."
Jenna, this is so beautiful! What a sweet and honoring husband you have. I love how he just made a bible stand out of some scraps, like..no bigs I just made a bible stand :D I think sometimes mini dates at home are the best because you can dress comfortably, enjoy the quiet together and crawl into bed whenever you're ready without having to drive anywhere. This totally made my morning :)
ReplyDeleteLove the answer, "because he's Patrick" - that's the best one to give.
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't marry Patrick? Well, if there were more of him and no extra Daves lying around. Awkward thought now over.
ReplyDeleteBut, I was so struck by the last photo of St. Theresa's as we have an almost identical one. I find it one of those confounding parts of the ways of grace that we all came out of that parish. Seemingly 'dead' but yet producing life. Only recently have I come to know St. Therese (I had been turned off by her before). Nevertheless, she didn't seem to mind that I didn't want to get to know her - she waited around like a helpful friend completely unperturbed at my reluctance to contact her. But, she helped and guided and still does. The greatest saint of our modern times who teaches us how to be great in our 'small' lives.
I love Patrick's explanation! Isn't there a line in the Jeweler's Shop about realizing that "we ought to belong to each other". Prayer is good, listening to our hearts is good too. God speaks both ways.
ReplyDeleteI love the little set-up with the icons...before I read the post I thought you did put it all together. That Patrick did that is pretty impressive. Good man you've married, that there husband of yours!