It's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh and the rest of the talented writers who are always willing to lend a helping hand.
The Writing's on the Card
While others were planning outings to 4th of July parades and fireworks, the Chicago meteorologists were forecasting rain. But I was not anticipating gloom and doom, as I was reflecting on our recent 31st wedding anniversary celebration which all began with a card.
When we first got married our anniversary meant a trip to the jewelry store - now it's a trip to Walgreens.
My husband woke me that morning with a kiss and a plastic bag filled with two- for-one vitamins and a card. He grinned and handed me the card, as he anxiously awaited my response.
It was a plain brown and gold card that looked like it should have had Hillmark or some generic name other than Hallmark written on the back.
But he especially liked the line, "You've seen me at my best, my worst & first thing in the morning." He gazed lovingly, as the blinding sunlight shone through our curtains framing my bedhead and raccoon eyes.
When I asked him if he noticed anything unusual about the card, he gave it a once over and said no.
That was strange, because in the left hand corner of the cover the card clearly stated: "FOR MY HUSBAND."
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| If you can't tell who's who in this photo then I'm really in trouble. |
Was my husband trying to tell me something?
Were there signs that I didn't recognize? For example, a few weeks ago we went shopping and my husband picked out a blue plaid shirt for me.
Me: Are you sure I don't look like a farmer?
Hubby: No, I like it!
After I calmly pointed out what the card said, he quickly crossed out HUSBAND and wrote WIFE next to it. He apologized and said he honestly didn't see it.
Truth be told, my husband doesn't have any vision in his left eye, but he's an avid reader and this was printed in large letters.
A few days later, our kids brought dinner over for a belated anniversary celebration. Without saying a word, I handed the card over to each son separately. I was shocked when neither one of them burst out laughing.
Apparently, both boys held the card with their hand covering the left-hand corner where "FOR MY HUSBAND" was printed vertically, so they also failed to see who the card was meant for.
This made my husband feel much better, though it only made me feel worse.
Of course some of us had a good laugh afterward.
The next day I came home to find that my husband cleaned out my clogged bathroom sink and vacuumed the rugs.
Now he can call me whatever he likes.
