Aug 6th, 2022 Saturday Sunny and hot
Yesterday was an exhausting day at work, at the end of an exhausting week, when I had way too many people interactions than I can typically handle in a week. Going into the week, I expected to feel very tired, and I did.
I returned home a little earlier, hoping to take a quick shower and rest, only to remember that I should go get some groceries for dinner today. With a big sigh, I grabbed my car key and drove into the heat.
The grocery shopping went smoothly, so at last the long-anticipated rest seemed on the horizon. I reached into my pocket, but found no key. I searched through my purse – still no key to be found. Panicked, I peeked into my car window – there it was, the car key sitting lazily on the driver’s seat.
When it rains, it pours. ?
Walking home was out of the question, so I immediately called my husband, praying that he could bring the spare key from home. No answer. I called again. And again. I must have called fifty times, but received zero response other than the voice mail.
Already mentally and physically drained (unfortunately there was no seating in the grocery store), I called a friend out of despair. Doo…doo…doo…doo…just as I was about to give up, he picked up the phone.
Finally, I got a ride home, and my husband called me on my way – he accidentally silenced his phone while working on the computer, only realizing that he missed my calls when he wondered why I had not returned from my shopping trip.
Eventually the crisis was reverted – I found the spare key, my husband drove me to my poor neglected car, and we were able to come home together.
To be honest, I was frustrated and angry, but I also knew that I had a fair share of the fault (why did I lock myself out of my own car?!), and my husband certainly did not intentionally ignore my calls. Much as I wanted to blame everything on him to feel better, I held my tongue for the most part. I only commented, “next time you cannot guilt me for not answering your phone, okay?” (He has complained, truthfully, that I rarely answer phone calls unless I am waiting for one, and I do not even carry my cell phone around unless I know I might need it 😛 )
He agreed with a chuckle, “we are even now.” I guess he still sensed my spleen, and maybe he appreciated my not venting it on him – he was extra gentle and considerate ever since, and I got pampered into a sweet dream after a nice massage ❤️
In drama shows, we often see heroic things that the protagonists do for each other to show the depth of their love. The story tends to end like “you must love me so much given you can do that for me, so let’s get married!” Then what? What is the message of love in life after the wedding, day in and day out? When trying situation occurs, can your love pass the test and still hold strong?
Love is not only about flowers and sunshine. Sometimes mutual understanding and support when things go wrong are harder to create than the shiny moments at the beginning of a relationship. Nevertheless, only a love castle that can withstand any kind of stormy weather is everlasting and worth protecting. I am proud and grateful that our love has passed this test of love.
Of course, I would not forget the friend who gave up playing video games on a couch to save my day. He is invited for dinner tonight, and here are some steamed buns (I picked them up while waiting for him at the store), one of his favorite foods, to thank him for truly being a friend in need 🙂