THE LIMIT

It wasn’t a huge argument. We’d had worse.

It was simply dealing with the pressures of unexpected circumstances that meant we were sharing our home with a relative who needed our care. We were more than happy to help in any way we could.

She was the perfect guest, one of our matriarchs, and we would not have had her with anyone else at this pivotal time. This precious soul was fighting a losing battle with cancer and needed our family and the love and support we gladly gave.

What led to that moment of tension between my husband and myself? Honestly, I don’t remember. But I do recall that we had taken that all-important “discussion” behind the closed door of our bedroom to keep our in-home patient from being aware that we needed to clear the air over some trivial issue.

We had been in our room talking for only a few minutes, when our bedroom door gently opened. (I guess our lowered voices in our small home carried more than we realized.) Our then 2-year-old daughter scrambled up to join us where we sat on our bed.

She listened for a Nano second and simply looked squarely at me and said, “Mom, have you just ‘bout had it?”

Our discussion halted.

My husband and I had nothing more to say. We simply chuckled and hugged her as we marveled at our daughter’s sensitivity and the question we would use often when we found ourselves at odds and just needed to call it a draw.

*****

That toddler is now a wife and mother of two very bright and verbal sons who are frequently in need of a referee. Her wisdom has developed along with her motherhood. These two teens will surely recall the steady demeanor of their mom, just as we enjoy the fond memories of this blond, blue-eyed diplomat with the insight of greater moments to come.

Given the opportunity, I think she could solve world problems with her gentle spirit, her listening heart, and her devotion to the same God of wisdom who had long ago called Solomon to mitigate among His people.

“...let it (your adornment) be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4 NKJV

Nancy K Sullivan

8-22-2024

Posted from Faithwriters Challenge for "Peacemaker" dated August 22, 2024

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