Sometimes we get a little spoiled in our lives and, if we are not careful, we end up complaining about something which is of no consequence. For instance, my wife Linda is naturally cheerful and generally very pleasant in disposition. Especially, it seems, in the morning.
On the contrary, when I get up in the morning I very often do not feel like being cheerful or, in fact, talking at all. I think that is because I am not by nature a morning person. It seems I need to adjust to waking life. I prefer to make that adjustment quietly, even silently if at all possible -- maybe drink a cup of coffee while I read the news. The act of carrying on a conversation seems to me to be an unwelcome intrusion upon my thoughts. But just as soon as I push the button on the coffee maker, my cheerful wife comes tripping up the stairs all ready to chat and wanting to know my plans for the day. In such a circumstance, I am not always noble or gracious, but rather somewhat quiet and somber and not at all inclined to answer what appears to me to be unnecessary questions.
I guess I remind myself of the man who decided to leave the world and join a monastery where he took a vow of silence. The monks were expected to spend their time in silent prayer and meditation. Every 10 years the monks were brought in one by one to have a visit with the bishop to see how they were getting on. After the first 10 years, this monk was brought into the bishop's office where the bishop was waiting behind his desk. Neither man spoke as the monk took his seat across the desk from the bishop.
The bishop looked kindly on the monk and then asked him, "So, brother, how are things going for you here?
The monk looked the bishop in the eye and said without emotion, "Bed's hard." The monk then returned to his room and didn't speak to anyone for another 10 years.
After 10 more years, the monk was again brought to the bishop's office. The two men sat across from each other for a bit and then the bishop asked the monk, "So, brother, how have things been for you the past ten years?"
The monk, who had aged a little since his last visit, looked the bishop in the eye and said, again without emotion, "Soup's cold." He then returned to his room where he spent his days in meditation.
Once more, after 10 more years had passed, the monk was brought before the bishop where he was asked once again, "So, brother, how have you been the past 10 years?"
The monk, who was a little more stooped than he had been previously, looked the bishop in the eye and said, "Want to go home."
The bishop rose from his chair and gave the monk a hard look. "Well, I say good riddance to you, sir! You haven't done anything but complain since you got here."
Well, thankfully my wife is kinder to me than that bishop was to the monk. She loves me in spite of my not being a morning person. And, she shows her love to me in numerous ways, both verbally and non-verbally. I have much to be thankful for and, the fact is, I am thankful. Linda and I often marvel at our lives and how blessed we are. To be sure, I am spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it.
The other day Linda asked me if she doted on me too much. Now how is a man supposed to answer a question like that? Who in his right mind is going to complain about his wife doting on him too much? I answered the only way any husband with his head screwed on straight could answer.
I said, "No, honey, not at all." And, "Keep up the good work!"
But in my mind I thought, "Just give me a chance to gather my thoughts in the morning!"
Sam Byrnes is a Gentry-area resident and weekly contributor to the Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 12/21/2016