Tuesday, August 08, 2006

A mile in his shoes

I always enjoy a day when Sweet Hubby, has to spend the majority of his day taking care of the kids and house while I go off and do whatever it is that I do without kids. I want to make sure he appreciates what I do every day with very little break. I don't get a true weekend or a true lunch hour or a true vacation like one would during a "normal" 9-5 job. That's okay...I don't mind and I try not to complain (too much). I love my "job". Can't imagine doing anything else but raising my sweet little boys. But I want to make sure that he understands that it is actually hard work. And it's even harder to do it well. And I have this insatiable need to be appreciated. He seems to like me a bit more when I come home after being gone for the day or even a weekend. So I think he "gets" it once in a while.

So this past weekend, he had to work on Saturday. He doesn't usually work weekends, but he was doing me a favor by taking off Monday (so I could actually have a bit of a break and go see my friend and her baby) and in order to do that, he had to get work done on Saturday. He insisted (didn't even ask, really) that I go to work with him and help him since he was helping me out on Monday. So we sent the kids with their grandparents and off to work I went. I had a great time spending the day with him and seeing what he really did all day long. I know his job...I know what he does all day to earn us our living. But I didn't realize how hard he worked. I didn't know how hard his job really was...and I didn't know how unpleasant it can be at times. It was busy and constant (I'm used to that, though) and it didn't slow down...everything was the same over and over again and it was very physical. I was so sore the next day. If I had to do that job by myself every day, day in, day out without the company of my best friend, I would go crazy....I would hate my job! But he doesn't...he doesn't complain (too much) and he gets up waaayyy earlier than we did that morning and works twice as many hours as we worked that day.

I walked a mile in his shoes (I would be willing to bet that that is a completely true and literal statement as well as "the old saying"). It was hard. Not fun at times. I'm so glad I don't have to do it. I'm so glad I get to do the job I love....and after coming home yesterday, I thinks he's glad that I do the job I do, as well, and that he has the job he has. I appreciate him more than I have in the past...he's finally getting the appreciation he deserves from me. Here's to you, honey! You are a star!! And you can have your shoes back.

5 comments:

LaughterThoughts said...

(ah, looks like you got some spam, eh? i've gotten those identical messages on my "other" blog)

what a neat little "twist" to your entry. i was reading along, going "oh yeah, totally know what you mean" and then you said you got to go to his job and see how hard it was and all... a new perspective and a new appreciation-- cool. i think i tend to forget that. i know my husband works hard, but i sometimes think (obviously quite selfishly) that at least he's getting all that adult interaction and when the day is over, he gets to actually LEAVE his job... i'd just like a little breather break every now and then. and he is good about letting me have those. even if it's just a solo trip to the grocery store. (and, wow, shopping is way more efficient and my time is managed way more effectively when i'm shopping WITHOUT five kids!!!)

Life With All Boys said...

Thank you for that. Sometimes I need to remember what my husband does for us everyday to make it possible for me and the boys to have the time together that we have all day.

mamashine said...

That's very cool! I'd like to see what Clay does all day long too.
What were you doing that made you sore, preggo? You know you shouldn't be lifting stuff... :) But I'm sure he didn't let you do too much.

Alli said...

I wasn't lifting...he wouldn't let me. It was just the constant motion and I had to squat a lot and reach my arms over my head a lot, too, so my quads and shoulders were really sore. Not to mention my poor little feet!

beth said...

That's wonderful. Sounds like you are both in the right place, and it is always nice to be reminded of how much we should appreciate what the "other one" does every day.