9.24.2009

Empty Drawer

I got home from the gym this morning and plopped myself back in bed.  Kirk was in the shower when I got home, like he is most mornings, getting ready to head out to his gym and then off to work.

I grabbed my laptop and perused a few blogs, checked in on twitter, and read through some emails.  And I could hear Kirk going through his morning rituals in the bathroom.  The click of his deodorant.  The exact same water pressure speed that he uses every.day when he shaves.  The sound of his toothbrush. 

I grinned to myself because I love that I know those things about him.  I love that if a room full of 10 men were all doing those exact things, I could pick Kirk out just by KNOWING how he taps his razor on the side of the sink.

And then he did something amazing.

Small.  But amazing.

He walked into our bedroom to get dressed. (That's not the amazing part...by the way.)  He opened up the drawer where he keeps the shirts he works out in, and then shut it.  I cringed because I knew that drawer was empty.  That load of clothes was still in the washer.  And has been for 2 days.  And needs to be rewashed because now the clothes stink like soured gym shoes. 

But he didn't say anything.

He just walked to his closet where he keeps his other t-shirts and grabbed one of those.

And I realized that he does this all.the.time.

And then I just had to kiss him.

Because he never says anything. 

He goes to work everyday and works his tail off for his family.  But never so much as even utters a complaint about deadlines, schedules, or stress. 

He heads out everyday and trusts me to take care of his babies.  But he knows that I take a lot of naps and spend a lot of time on my computer, but never even hints that he wishes I didn't.

He comes home and usually has to step over huge piles of toys, blocks, and shoes not put away just to get to the kitchen to grab a glass of tea, which on some days isn't even made up yet.  But he just steps around it and comes in and plants big kisses on each and every one of us and tells us how glad he is just to be home.

And then he goes to get clothes out of his drawer...and they aren't there.  But he doesn't say anything.

I'm not sure why he doesn't.

Because I know it has to bother him. 

But I think he just respects me enough to not.  I know that I waste a lot of time around the house piddling on the computer, watching DVR'd episodes of GLEE over and over and over again, and catching cat naps on the couch.  But I take great comfort in being able to do those things and not feel guilty about them either, because I know that Kirk won't ever hound me about choosing a nap over folding a load of towels.  He just won't. 

Again...not because he's superman.  But because he respects me.

So this morning as I smiled to myself and counted out the rhythm of his razor taps, and then watched him open and close the empty drawer without a word....I decided that I want to be different.

I want his shelves and dresser drawers to be full.
I want his tea pitcher to be full every day.
I want there to be clean towels in the cabinet waiting on him.
I want there to be at least a clear path from the front door to his recliner.
I want there to be good food waiting for him when he gets home from work.

Because he deserves it.
Because I love him.
Because he loves us.

So blessed.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this is one of the best posts I've read in a long time. We are blessed women to have men like this.

I could say more but I have clothes to fold and put in drawers, tea to make, towels to launder, a path to clear, and food to cook.

Thanks.

Cathy said...

Tears right now. For more than one reason.

Love ya...like kids and their Christmas paper chains.

buscher3 said...

Proverbs 31 woman in the making! You go girl!

Jessica said...

That one may have made me tear up. a lot. thanks, for real. Funny how He always knows the exact timing when we need a reminder. because I needed one. so thanks! =)

Mich said...

Too sweet! You are right, he is not a complainer...

Love ya!

Elizabeth said...

What a sweet hubby you have! It just reminds me that us women are usually harder om ourselves than we should be. And to have a hubby that doesn't nag or complain just makes life so much sweeter!

Jennifer said...

Our husbands are exactly the same. You and I are exactly the same. Weird. Man, we're so blessed.

One hundred thousand million times I have made this same vow. Some days it actually happens and some days it doesn't and Jeff treats me the same every time. He is the most wonderful example of Christ's unconditional love for me than I have ever had in my life.

Hope to meet your Prince when you guys are out next week.

XOXO.

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Look at you, my thinky friend!

Yep, he's a good man. I think you should keep him! ;)

I know he'll be blessed by your post. What a beautiful tribute!

Jim said...

Amb,
I thank the Lord my little girl got a good one! Both of you did and it just pleases me like punch that I don't have to 'punch' them, if you know what I mean. You did make me realize that I'm blessed the same way. Through all of my daily trape-sing through her cleaner than clean house, she always has towels in place, clean shirts - more than I think I need -
and a nightly back scratch and massage, regardless of how sleepy and tired she may be. I'm gonna do more to let her know I appreciate all of those little things she keeps in place.

Thanks for the reminder.

Jim-Dad

Carpool Queen said...

I think I need to go clean.

Jessica said...

It is ridiculous how kindred our spirits are. And our husbands' spirits. Luke will actually put a load in the washer for me, even though we agreed that laundry is my job. I was thinking the same happy thoughts this morning when he got up early with the baby so I could sleep a little later and left for work early. Somehow he managed to load and start the dishwasher before he left. We're so lucky.

Eriki said...

I wish you health and happiness every day!
Ich wunsche Ihnen Gluck und Gesundheit jeden Tag!
Je vous souhaite sante et bonheur chaque jour!

網路行銷
seo

really.truly said...

So true and so sweet.

Unknown said...

Awesome post. Makes me want to go thank my man!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Girl, you are speaking my language here! I think our husbands must be related somehow:) I've been doing a lot of thinking, praying, Bible searching and reading on my role as a wife and it makes me want to do better too. It makes me want to do better because I have such a great man to do it for and I don't ever want to take that for granted!

Tiffani said...

Clearly, even the Chinese think he's great! ;)

How did we get so blessed with our men?!

I hope your SPOUSE ;) read this because I think even the strongest of men need to hear how much their loved every now and then...reminded of how deeply we love and even the tiniest of things is important to us.

I love a man like Kirk...willing to let his bride be what God designed her to be and loving her all the way...

They are diamonds in the rough, indeed.

Gretchen said...

The balance between running a home and being run ragged is a fine line, indeed. Sounds like your husband is a giver of grace. Not only does this post make me admire you both more and of course give me the impulse to clean, but it also reminds me how not.to.complain.

I'm afraid I'm not as grace-giving with my husband. If I see something not quite right, I'm *hangs head* always quick to point out the flaw. But woe be unto him if he points out any of my errors/lapses.

Praying full drawers. And thanks.

Gretchen said...

Ahh, girlie. You've touched my heart. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. Have you read The Excellent Wife? I'm thinking I need to pull it back out for a little refresher. =)
I, too, am blessed with a man that doesn't complain. In fact, when he is out of fresh shirts, he does laundry.

Such generous love in the form of grace.

Off to do laundry. Hugs!

Jackie said...

Oh, Amb. You have touched my heart with this one. Because I have been there so many times, with the washer still full and the drawers still empty and a sweet hubby that just gives me grace. And I WANT to do better. Joining you in this resolution.