Carefree Days

If you’re reading this on July 9, it’s my 43rd wedding anniversary--over four decades of looking at, listening to, laughing with, and loving my favourite person. Having written that ...

Have you ever woken up and not cared one iota about your appearance? You may have a list of things you’d like to accomplish in your day, but you foresee no seeing or speaking to anyone else, so you decide to drop the ball. I’m not talking about feeling depressed, but rather having a c’est la vie, throw-everything-to-the-wind carefree-type day.

I gift myself one of these on occasion, and most of the time it works out. I stay inside, no fuss, no muss, and I have no human interaction, except with the man I married, and he has to love me even on my worst day because he promised that on July 9th, 1983.

Sidenote: If any of you followed my Laugh at Life column in the newspaper, I have admitted to this sort of thing before, and I did get burned. You would think I might've remembered that.

When my husband asked if I’d like to go with him to retrieve his prescription medication, confident that this stop wouldn't require me exiting the vehicle, I happily hopped into his truck. My horrendous appearance was easily ignored--by both of us, apparently.

On arrival to his destination, he ran in to retrieve his online pre-ordered meds as I waited in the truck. When he returned, he told me that if I’d go into the pharmacy and sign one piece of paper, he’d be able to order my medication for me whenever I'd need it.   

Excitedly thinking this a grand idea (since I'm technology-challenged and don’t relish learning to navigate another website), I quickly toddled in after him, thanking him for taking this task off my hands.

As he'd told me, there lay a paper on the counter, ready for my signature. But before I could lift the pen, the pharmacist stepped up and began to explain in very simple terms what I was about to sign. As she continued, sounding similar to an adult speaking to a very small child, a not-so-slow realization hit me.

Did she think me mentally challenged? Why else would I need my husband to order and pick up medications for me? Of course! She thought me inept!

She continued her explanation, but with that startling awareness, this suddenly became extremely humorous to me. 

When she finally asked, “Do you understand what I’m telling you, and what you’re signing for?”, I rolled my lips in to keep myself from laughing, and simply nodded as I peered over at my husband.

That didn't help. She caught my eye then, and pointed straight at him. “Do you understand that you’re giving him permission to order and pick up your medication for you?” 

It started as a snicker, but quickly ballooned into an outright guffaw as I burst out with, “I’m not stupid! He’s just my secretary.” 

Of course, the witty man beside me didn’t miss a beat. “Your lackey is more like it,” he mumbled, which only caused me to laugh even louder.

When we climbed back into the truck, he told me that he didn't tell her that I hate technology. I glanced at him and thought, so instead, you went with mentally challenged? I appreciated that he'd not told her how tech-non-savvy I am, but it left me wondering why she’d spoken to me as if I was a juvenile.

Thankfully, only a few minutes later, it all became glaringly clear when I flipped down the visor and peeked into the mirror. I can't explain in mere words the full devastation I felt as I gazed at the image staring back at me.

“No wonder she was talking to me as if I were demented!" I exclaimed. "It wasn’t the technology thing at all!”

My helter-skelter hair, makeup-less face, and tired, swollen eyes that no cucumber could possibly remedy is a picture I won't soon forget. Once again I realized my need to re-evaluate the level of ‘carefree’ I allow into my days.

A few lessons were learned, and hopefully won't be forgotten.

1. When I ready myself in the morning, perhaps thinking about the person who looks at me the most might be wise.

2. Laughing at oneself can be quite therapeutic, and good for the soul. 

3. It’s the kind and thoughtful things—the stuff that one partner can’t abide doing--so the other covers for them--that makes life-long bonds work well.

As it is with God in our lives, we may not see many mountain-moving types of miracles, or even an overabundance of exciting moments in our every days, but I know that if I wrote them all down, there’d be many small gifts that are given to me daily--both by my Saviour, my husband, and many others.

May we all recognize and appreciate our own special moments.

Be blessed, everyone!

Enjoy summer, or whichever season it is where you are reading this. 

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 (NASB1995) 

Pattie Janzen

News-type stuff:

I’m planning to release at least the first two, and possibly all three, of the Someone of Substance trilogy (2nd Editions) before Christmas. The revisions are wrapping up, and the covers are coming along nicely. If you’ve been waiting to read this series, thank you for your patience. I'm hoping it will be worth your wait!

Congratulations to the WINNER of the draw for JULY: Dave B!