Image by Orin Zebest via Flickr
Peter, Paul and Mary got me into a retrospective mood yesterday. I began to think about all the times I came close to blowing the best thing in my life- my wonderful wife. My father wasn’t a great role model even though my parents were married for over 60 years. And I struggled with growing up and being a man. Two years ago (yest I’ve been blogging for more than two years), I put together some posts with my marriage wisdom. Looking back, they seem worth re-reading.. They are interlinked but now that I look at them, I don’t know which one is a good place to start. I’ll just list them and let you decide if you are interested.
It all started with a reflection on what you can do to improve your marriage. I came up with thirteen things but maybe you can help me get to twenty.
I was inspired to be a better husband by reading a book that opened my eyes about men and women.
And I learned about the wound that cripples every man.
That was quite a month nearly two years ago. I was still working and trying to earn my blogging chops. There weren’t many readers back then. If you can help me get to twenty ways to improve a marriage, I will be able to listen to Peter, Paul and Mary without crying.
Just clicked over to your 13 steps. I think you’ve got the biggies. If any of us husbands can hit most of the 13 steps at least the majority of the time we are in for a tremendous marriage.
When I was traveling and overworking for 20 years I came close to lousing things up,too. Luckily, I stopped before I had broken things permanently.
Satisfyingretirement’s last Blog Post ..A History Lesson on Green
Bob,
I learned then all the hard way too- and didn’t lose what I could never replace.
This is a fabulous piece of writing Ralph- along with the pieces that feed into it.
Janette,
Thank you so much. This is not so much writing as letting my heart flow.
More solid advice on living with “the wife”. I’m lucky; got a good one. She’s a keeper.
Hansi’s last Blog Post ..Reefer Madness
Hansi,
All the more reason to treat her right. You seem to be ok on that front.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..Reflection on Marriage
Great piece Ralph, I too nearly f….. it up big style, but saw the light just in time. To be truthful I was a selfish bastard, just wanting to do my own thing.
A lot of people think the grass is greener elsewhere, but it still has to be tended. Now everything is OK, we spend a lot of time with our children and grandchildren, share activities and laugh a lot.
To add to your thirteen – don’t be joined at the hip, let each other enjoy their own pleasures.
Bill
Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
Bill,
I like your story. It makes me feel better. The way I see it, I’ve got a lot of tending to do and thanks for the fourteenth way.