While getting up early is never my favorite thing it somehow seems better when I wake up suddenly, and I am shaken from my sleep by my alarm only to realize I’ve been out like a light. There’s something satisfying about a good, hard night’s sleep where your body resembles a rock, and you even check the mirror to see if you gathered moss while you snored.
This morning was that kind of morning, and though I was jolted awake to my disappointment, the sting of wakefulness was soothed by the fact that it was the first time my eyes had opened all night long. The room was dark, and the humidifier was running. It created a beautiful, white noise that could lull even the most insomniac of minds.
The side of the bed to my left was empty. In fact it was untouched. That side of the bed was still tidily made, and that told me two things. One, I really had slept like a rock. And two, my husband had not come to bed at all last night. I wasn’t surprised one bit.
I thought then of yesterday morning when I had been running late for work. As I had gotten into the car and cranked it up I experienced momentary distress. My mind produced images of the illuminated gaslight I had noticed the day before, and I realized that even as time worked against me so did an empty gas tank. I knew I would have to stop for a fill-up despite the lack of time.
But when I looked at the dash a half tank of gas looked back, and I knew it wasn’t a visit from the fuel fairy that had saved me. It had simply been the thoughtfulness of my spouse.
And wasn’t that what it was all about? Doing small, insignificant things, day in and day out, not because you were asked to or because of what you got in return, but simply out of love.
Favorite meals made. A honey-do list checked off.
A tidy house. A tuned-up car.
Love notes and laundry done. Yard mowed and the broken bed mended.
Nothing big, not in the grand scheme, but simply small, mundane tokens that collectively made a house run smoothly. And subsequently made you feel special, taken care of, and secure.
Yet he wasn’t in my bed.
I trudged in a sleepwalk haze towards the bathroom, but not before stopping to find my spouse. There on the living room floor lay my husband, surrounded by three girls, and one of them was actually sprawled out across his chest.
It wasn’t a party I had missed, but an action to ensure I slept undisturbed. The three girls were our rowdy daughters, and the youngest snored softly on her father’s sternum.
An empty medicine dropper lay in the sink for soothing incoming molars, but I hadn’t heard a sound. Not one single cry.
I had slept hard, and good. I had drove to work with plenty in my gas tank, and I had arrived on time. But mostly I had walked into work feeling loved and appreciated.
I felt special, and worth doing the little things for even when nothing was promised in return. I was grateful for the gift of him. Plus I knew he’d be back in our bed come tonight.
Amy Garren says
Awww that is beautiful!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. 🙂
Rhonda says
Love this
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you! Feel free to share anytime. 🙂
Sondra Tidwell says
He’s a keeper and u needed that sleep unwork really hard at home and very where else love u
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you sweetie! Love you too!
Denise says
I just love how you write.. I know we’d be great friends if we were to meet. Thanks for helping me on this path of life!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! Your comments are always so encouraging, and that means more than you know!
Sonya says
Brie, this is so wonderfully expressed! I love it!! When we have that husband who is our world and treats us like a queen, then we know we have been given a true gift beyond measure. Truly beautiful words today. 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much. Every day I thank God that he gave me the wonderful gift of my marriage.
Treasure McLendob says
I love this!! So often we find ourselves wrapped up in kids, work and life in general and don’t thank the ones that do the most and mean the most to us. Thank you for putting it in perspective!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much. You’re so right. I always try and let my husband know how much I appreciate him.
Penny says
So sweet. I am so thankful for my sweet husband that still does those little things after 25 years… 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting. God bless you and your sweet hubby.
Anita Fox says
It’s wonderful to read about another wonderful husband in this world. I too am blessed with such a man. The act of love he demonstrated for you is exactly something my wonderful husband Kevin would and has done for me. So sweet!! Thanks for sharing the story
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Jessica says
Loved reading your entry although I really just stumbled upon it shared on FB this morning. I just lost my husband last Monday morning after a 3.5 year battle with brain cancer. We have five children ages 3 to 10. I too had one of those wonderful husbands and reading your post made me ache to have him back. I encourage you to never let go of the love you share and others reading this to really stop and consider the precious gift God gives us when he entrusts us with a help mate in life.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your personal story. I know your words will cause others to pause and appreciate their spouses.
I am so sorry for your loss, and I pray for God’s comfort in your life. No words can soothe your loss, but I thought perhaps something in the post I’m attaching might help a bit. God bless you Jessica. https://briegowen.com/2014/08/27/why-god/
Melissa says
As I started to read I was worried that this would not have a happy ending, but I’m so glad it did! I have a husband like that too now, but he wasn’t always that way. What a blessing you have in your precious husband to ensure you get what you need! Let him know often what a blessing from God he is to you and thank him for ministering to you in that way (as I’m sure you do!)
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for commenting. I certainly do let him know.
Claudia Edwards says
I loved experiencing a little bit of what it feels like to have a wonderful husband through your inspiring blog.
As time goes by, I find myself accepting the “fact” that I won’t find that special someone I yearn so much. And it’s not until I run across a blog like yours that, like a little light, hope ignites back in my heart, once again. So, thank you for that.
Best wishes and many more blessings to you and your family.
Claudia Edwards
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing personally with me. I am praying for you now. With The Lord there is always hope. God bless you.
chad says
This is a wonderful gesture that he loves you & cares for you and about you as much as himself! I hope some day im fortunate enough to remarry to a lady who feels about me as you do your husband! Thanks for sharing this.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting. I am sure your grateful wife is out there somewhere just waiting for you to shower her with affection!
Everette Tarver says
Thanks for putting into words what every husband needs to know and do all the time.I call it committed love.I have been doing all those things and more for the better part of 56 years of marriage to the same wonderful woman.I give God all the credit for that. I never learned any of that from my parents,but when I became a Christian and as I studied my Bible,especially the practical portions of Paul’s writings,He taught me what true love really is and much more,1 Cor.13. From Deut. 24:5 I learned that next to pleasing God,my wife’s well being is the most important privilege and responsibility I have. I could go on and on about this but I wont.I would add one other thought;We could do these things just as a duty without any joy,and I have done that. Then the Lord taught me that “true love” is God’s love,the love we read about in 1 Cor 13. His love will endure all the trials of life. Then Gal 5:22-23 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the source of LOVE,JOY,PEACE,etc,and as I yield myself to Him He fills my heart with these”attitudes”,and I find myself serving my wife and others with the JOY of the Lord. He does make a difference! I hope this note is not too long.If so,please forgive me.Everette Tarver
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing!