Counting Up, #4: Working for a Living

[krikketgirl]

#4: He works hard and he never, never whines about it.

I remember a Rose is Rose comic strip that had the son asking why he should thank his dad for doing what he's supposed to do. His mom replied, "Not every mortal man does what he's supposed to do." I am fortunate to be married to a man who does not only what he's supposed to do, but extra stuff you'd never expect him to do--without every playing the martyr or complaining about how hard he's working.

He gets up before I do every morning during the week, drives half an hour to work, drives half an hour back home afterwards--and then signs on for the evening shift. He helps the kids with their homework. He helps me with my schoolwork. He does side projects for our church organization and others. He served as president of our nascent Neighborhood Association, including walking the neighborhood distributing flyers regarding a key meeting. He is always willing to serve on committees, from community zoning to planning a high school reunion. He is on call for work, too,

This morning, even though it was already later in the day and hot already, he got up, dressed, and mowed the lawn and trimmed the hedges. Not only that, he had the patience to allow our younger son to come help trim the hedges, although the Boy is new at it and it was really hot and this particular Boy is not noted for persistence. This past two weeks, he gave his after-work time to helping complete the bathroom, figuring out what was needed and helping with the tasks that he had time to do.

I have never heard him complain about having to work. I never have heard him say, "Well, I shouldn't have to do that because I worked all day today and I'm tired." He does what he's supposed to do and then he does more, and he doesn't demand thanks or recompense--he sees it as his duty, and he does it with his whole heart. Chris rocks.