Marriage Moats-Cleaning Up

Published: Tue, 09/04/12

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

A week ago it seemed like a terrific idea. We invited some friends in for dinner. A pot of soup, muffins and salad made for a cozy meal.

But the hours leading up to it were thick with vacuuming, dishes, putting random piles away. I traipsed forth and back between the dining room and the kitchen with a cereal bowl, a left shoe, a hairbrush and assorted Legos.

"Why do I entertain? It is a lot of work." I sighed.

But as John and the kids each showed up to help, it became a friendly effort, and the gulf between sloppy and presentable collapsed with startling speed.

Cleaning up afterwards was pleasant too, as we chatted with the last two lingering people. Then we turned around to enjoy our low clutter living space.

Marriage is an invitation to another human being to share your life. It seems like a brilliant idea at the onset. Then petty annoyances pile up like clutter, and the grumbling picks up speed.

I clean up my impatience, and put away my judgments.

"Why did I get married? This is a lot of work."

But after a decade or so of sporadic self refinement I realize that my own head is a nicer place to live.

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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