The Good Times

A couple of different people have told me recently that they are now taking care of their parents. A lot of us not only want to do it, but financially it makes more sense.

I believe that hard times can make or break a marriage. We have been through some
very hard times from pretty much the beginning of our marriage. Major times, like overdoses, suicides, cancers, plane crashes,and divorces, just to name a few. There were times that we didn't look like we would make it but something always happened to bring us back to hanging in together.

We have both lost parents,step-parents and grandparents. My Mom is the last parent that we have now. I am amazed at how much and how well my husband cares for her.They seem to laugh together far more than she and I do. At breakfast the other morning, my Mom said to Arnie "Take my hand". This is her way of showing you how cold she is. I would have said that,"yes,I see you are cold." Arnie's response was "why, are you a Stranger in Paradise?" (from the musical Kismet,I believe).They both just laughed and the concern over cold hands was forgotten.

The photo in this blog is of Arnie having dressed Mom in warm clothes so he could take her out and show her the mountains that were dusted with snow on a Sunday morning. He said "We have to take her out and show her how beautiful it is. She can't appreciate that from a window." I went into the other room to find my camera. When I came out, he all ready had her outside, he had dressed her in a ski jacket and mittens. It was touching to me.

Recently,after spending a few days in Tucson,when we came home, I just said "Hi Mom",but he ran over to kiss her. I was like, "oops" and ran over to do the same.

What is it about our spouses/partners that makes us love them more for their tenderness with others that we love? I don't know exactly, but thank goodness for that good-ness.