My darling husband is usually very good about complimenting me on things and I’m typically not too bad at receiving them.  Well, this morning I totally dismissed him and I feel so bad about it.

A little background info:  I’ve learned never to ask, “Do I look like I’ve lost weight?”  It doesn’t matter how he answers, it doesn’t make me feel good.  He would always reply with a “yes” of course because well, he’s just not a jerk lol.  And while this would seemingly be the right response, it doesn’t do for the self-esteem as one would hope.  I then feel like he’s been coerced into giving a positive response (because he’d never purposefully hurt my feelings) and I discount it altogether in my own mind.

Now, back to this morning.  I’m in pain due to kidney stones (yes, I’ve even passed one so far this morning) and walking slowly back to the bed after another miserable trip to the bathroom.  He’s watching me feeling badly that he can’t help me when suddenly he blurts out, “you look smaller”.  This is his version of “you look like you’ve lost weight babe”.  Typically I will get so excited that he’s noticed but this morning I replied with…

“What, are you kidding me?  I feel awful.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart, what can I get for you?”  He helps me back into bed (note that he’s been up since 4am working).

After waking later and replaying the whole thing in my mind, I feel badly that I didn't acknowledge his compliment.  So, right here, for the whole world to see….

”Thank you Erik for going to the store this morning, for trying to comfort me and for the wonderful compliment.”

And….”thank you Lord for blessing me with him.”