WDP — Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

Fandango

Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.

Three months ago I fell off a ladder and busted my hip, my arm, and injured my shoulder. It obviously disrupted my life. But it completely turned my wife’s life topsy-turvy. She unexpectedly became the head of our household. We used to split household responsibilities. She’d walk the dog first thing in the morning, I’d walk the dog last thing at night. She’d cook our meals and I’d wash up the dishes and pots and pans after. I’d handle the various maintenance and fix-it tasks around the house.

Suddenly my wife was thrust into the role of chief cook and bottle washer, responsible for doing everything. And she also became the primary caretaker for me, her disabled husband. For the first month after I came home from the hospital, my wife was by my side to help me with virtually all of my activities of daily living, from getting me in and out of bed, helping me get dressed and undressed, assisting me in taking showers, fixing all of my meals and cleaning up afterwards, taking care of our dog, taking out the trash, and keeping the house clean and working.

Now I’m a little more self-sufficient, but still, most of the burden continues to fall on her. She drives me to and from my physical therapy appointments and any other places I have to go to. She’s still doing all of the dog walks, all of cooking and cleaning, and all of the housework.

And she’s done all of this without complaint and without resentment. I’ve got another two to three months to go before I’ll be fully recovered, so her lead role as my caretaker and head of household is not yet over.

I can’t think of a better example of a positive thing a family member has done for me. And she is a daily reminder of what a positive decision it was when I asked her to marry me and how fortunate I am that she said yes.

22 thoughts on “WDP — Chief Cook and Bottle Washer”

  3. rugby843 April 18, 2023 / 11:44 am

    Very romantic F👍🏻❤️

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    Liked by 1 person

  4. annieasksyou April 18, 2023 / 11:46 am

    Wishing you an even speedier recovery, Fandango—for your sake and your wife’s.

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Marilyn Armstrong April 18, 2023 / 12:42 pm

    Wives are wonderful, aren’t they? I sure could use one of my own! Give her a high five from me.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. JT Twissel April 18, 2023 / 1:16 pm

    I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot you’d do the same for her! It’s nice that you’re so appreciative!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Taswegian1957 April 18, 2023 / 3:30 pm

    You are fortunate and I am sure that you would do the same for her. You did have to take over some of her jobs when she hurt herself a few months ago I seem to remember. Once you are fully fit it might be nice to plan a treat for the two of you to enjoy as a reward for all that hard work.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Fandango April 18, 2023 / 10:24 pm

      You’re right, I will need to plan something special for the two of us.

      Liked by 2 people

  12. bushboy April 18, 2023 / 3:44 pm

    Your wife has amassed a lot of credit points

    Liked by 2 people

  13. K. Hartless April 18, 2023 / 8:21 pm

    What a wonderful tribute. I wish you a speedy recovery and her a lovely vacation when that day comes.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. jilldennison April 18, 2023 / 9:29 pm

    Thumbs up to your beautiful, loving wife! My daughter & granddaughter did much the same for me a year-and-a-half ago after an 11-day stay in the hospital for heart problems. For months, I was unable to even walk as far as the kitchen, so they took care of the house, the kitties, and moi without ever a word of complaint. Today, they still shoulder an unequal amount of the work, though I try to do as much as I can. Aren’t you and I lucky to have people who love us so much?

    Liked by 3 people

  17. leigha66 April 30, 2023 / 5:59 pm

    Often care giving is done at a time the spouse is not fully aware of what their mate is going through… glad you recognize all she is doing for you. She deserves a lot of thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

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