Will He Be Her Beefy Buttress?

Dear Blogger Chick,

I have a conNUNdrum...

My totally awesome wife / girlfriend / bride-of-my-youth is a writer.

She's really good at what she does.

The problem is: she pays a LOT of attention to her writing and not enough attention to me. (I'm needy that way.)

I'm not asking for much. I'd just like her to give me the occasional back rub; make my dinner; iron my clothes; starch my socks; weed the garden; change the oil; fix the roof; and look super-model-fabulous 24/7 just for me. Chicken wings and a few cold ones during the game would be good, too.

In return I'm completely willing to pick up my dirty socks and place them IN the clothes hamper at least 2 times out of 3. I'll also make an effort to remember the names and ages of our 3 children. (By now you can see what a magnanimous kinda guy I am.)

Any advice you can give will be truly appreciated.

I'll be anxiously awaiting your reply. You can find me in the tool shed.

Sincerely,
A Real SNAG (Sensitive North American Guy)


Dear Snag,

You sound remarkably similar to the Yahoo I married 23 years ago--but he was really more of a BAG (Benevolent Altruistic Guy) because he thought of others ahead of himself. Maybe you, too, were once like this, and have merely strayed from the original and better path.


It’s not too late.


You are obviously intelligent and discerning in your assessment of your wife’s capabilities. That’s a great start. How, though, have you shown her this of late? Has she by any chance asked for a portable Acer laptop--nothing top of the line--something basic to make better use of her time in the outside world which would free up more of her time at home to provide backrubs and oil changes? Hmmm? I didn’t think so.


What about writing conferences that offer workshops in balancing love and words? Sure you’ve probably said yes to the Faithwriter’s Conference in Livonia, but what about the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis that could make her a better writer/wife?


And here’s another thought that’s come to me out of the blue: could it be that her heart’s desire is not to teach ESL part-time during the school year, but to be a full-time writer, who fixes gourmet meals and starches your socks after her quiet time with God, but before she hits the gym? If this is her heart’s desire, where do you rate on the Support-Ship-o-meter?

From your letter, I picture your wife as a reasonable, non-demanding creature, who appreciates how hard you work. She would probably give up the Acer--which she doesn’t really need, wait for the next ACFW conference, and even semi-gladly work one more year to help out, if only she could sit comfortably while she writes. I’ve seen this scenario before--neglected spouse not getting the attention he deserves because at the end of a day, the writer’s back, neck, and wrists are aching and no matter how much she wants to, she just has nothing left to give.


I’ve provided links to an ergonomic chair and table that would solve both her coNUNdrum and yours--doing my part to get you out of the tool shed. See, this is benevolence at work.


http://sitincomfort.com/kneechairs.html


http://sitincomfort.com/codelast.html


The question must be asked again: Where do you rate on the Support-Ship-o-Meter? Does the needle remain immobile because you don’t believe in ergonomic hogwash, or will you make budgetary sacrifices and peg out as her Beefy Buttress?


These are all things to think about, SNAG. If you’re anything like my Yahoo, who besides being a BAG, is also a godly Christian man and wise husband/family leader, (who I love in spite of his public antics), then you’ll give my advice serious consideration. The attention you desire will come your way.

I can almost guarantee it.
Blogger Chick


No reply is necessary from you, SNAG (REALLY), but let’s hear from the STARS (Stunningly Talented & Astute Reader-Ship).