I am in the habit of thinking that I don’t in general have strong preferences. I usually tell my wife that we can do what she would like to do. The other day, she turned the table on me and asked me very explicitly what I wanted to do. Yikes! I don’t know. I found that it isn’t so easy to say firmly and reliably what I want to do. I - I - I can’t answer. Can I think about it? All reactions I look down on when she gives them.
I know that she likes to visit state parks and other places that feature nature. For me, nature, schmature. As I have said to her, lakes, trees, sky - I’ve seen them already. Yes, we have had some fun times in parks, state, national and other. But when she talks of a visit to one, I am pretty sure I hear a distinct sound of happy expectations. They seem to settle on her naturally. With me, it is the same old nature again: skunks, bears, mud.
But now, I am wondering if she is making a heroic and successful effort, one I have to learn. Maybe she musters enthusiasm for a trip, a visit, a museum, an attraction only with effort and concentration and openness. Maybe my normally grumpy, male, skeptical reaction is cowardly or lazy. Maybe I should muster my strength, marshal my inner zest, manage my desires and set our course a little more often.
What do you think? If you are a woman who reads this blog, I don’t need to hear from you. I know you are going to take her side. I know you are going to point out the man’s duty to care for a couple’s mutual adventures as much or more than the woman does. I know you are going to say that of course I haven’t been doing my part and that such behavior is just what you always see from male partners.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
