New Leaves

The other day, I agreed to run an errand for my husband. He was busy at work and needed some things from the store.

“Thanks for getting the items from Home Depot, Nance,” my husband said.

“Of course. I’m glad to help,” I replied.

My husband shops often at Home Depot, but I go rarely and if I do I am usually as his helper. I didn’t know where any of the items were located, and the employees seemed confused as well. After searching and asking around, I finally found what I needed. I left feeling worn out. On my drive home, I thought, “I deserve an award for going to Home Depot for my husband.”

I started thinking about other things I do that deserve recognition. I suggested to my husband that we keep a chart to mark each time I complete an award-worthy task. He rolled his eyes and said, “Is that really necessary?” I thought my ideas was great and decided to create a list even though my husband was less than enthusiastic.

Eight Tasks that Deserve Awards

1. Going to Home Depot for my husband. Home Depot is a nice enough store, but if you have no idea where the item is that you are looking for, it can be a nightmare. Finding an employee to help can be a challenge, but finding an employee who knows where the item is for is nearly impossible.

2. Folding laundry and putting it away. This task is one of my least favorite. I don’t mind washing and drying the clothes, but folding them feels endless and sometimes pointless. I carefully fold everything, making sure that each piece is neat and orderly, but then it gets messed up when I try to find something in the drawer. The cycle seems never-ending, and it makes me dread this chore even more.
3. Working out five days a week. My husband once shared a quote from football Hall of Famer Joe Montana: “Working out three days a week just doesn’t cut it anymore.” I used to work out three days a week for years, but after turning 50, I saw no real fitness improvements. Joe was right; I needed to increase my workouts to five days a week to see results. This dedication surely deserves some recognition.
4. Cooking defrosted food when you want to go out to eat. This happens a lot. I take something healthy like salmon out of the freezer, plan to cook it the next night, but when the time comes, I don’t feel like eating it. Still, I feel I obligated to cook it since it’s already defrosted.
5. Listening to my family talk about their hobbies. My husband and boys are creative and enjoy their hobbies, which is great. However, listening to their long stories about car parts, paint colors, and gaming can be tiring. I use my amazing acting skills as I nod, ask clarifying questions, and smile while they share their endless details.
6. Going to the dentist. This is something most people deserve an award for. We go twice a year for a healthy smile, but going is always filled with dread. The cleanings, x-rays, and dental work are all unpleasant. Plus when the hygienist shares you need to do a better job brushing, it feels like you’ve failed a college class. I think dentists should give out gift cards to Target after each visit instead of just a “Good Job” sticker.
7. Waiting for my adult children to respond to texts. My boys have said that I tend to nag about responding to texts, so I try to send texts and wait patiently for replies. Sometimes, days go by without a response. I know they are on their phones all the time, scrolling through social media and chatting with friends, so I can’t help but wonder why they can’t take a moment to reply to me.
8. Eating vegetables first. Years ago, I read that the best way to eat a meal is in a specific order: non-starchy vegetables first, then protein, healthy fats, carbs, and finally dessert. This is hard to do, especially with potatoes on my plate. When I accomplish this task, I usually have to announce to my family when I’m eating my veggies first to highlight my effort.

After I finished my list, I showed it to my husband. He said he wanted to make an award worthy list for himself. I thought that was a great idea.

“What would you put first on your award worthy list?”, I asked.

“Being patient while my wife shares her award worthy list while I am trying to work,” he smiled.