A dishwasher, a squirrel & stitches … oh my!

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love endures. Love has a sense of humor.

That last sentence is not part of I Corinthians 13 in the New Testament but is part of a loving relationship.

Eleven years ago, on February 23, Chuck and I vowed to love and cherish each other, to be patient and kind. We soon realized that laughter sweetened our relationship.

When Chuck moved into my house, he asked why I had never used the dishwasher. I smiled and said, “It doesn’t work. It hasn’t functioned for 14 years.” After explaining to Chuck that when you are single, your priorities are different, he bought us a new one.

I had no idea what comic relief a dishwasher could give us.

We had not had it very long when I noticed that whenever I opened the dishwasher, the dishes were rearranged from the way I loaded them. I asked Chuck why he rearranged the dishes. He sweetly smiled and said, “Honey, you load the dishwasher like a deranged squirrel on steroids.” He actually used those words.

The dishwasher became a challenge. I tried my best to load it more like a calm squirrel on Xanax. I failed most of the time.

Here is the squirrel trail I’m taking you down this week. I’ll do my best to give you the Reader’s Digest version, not the Encyclopedia Britannica one.

Chuck was moving his old, non-working scroll saw (as in 30-plus years old) from its metal stand four weeks ago. The saw was heavy. The stand tipped over and down Chuck’s leg. The good thing was that it did not tear his pants. The bad thing was it tore his leg from his knee to his ankle.

Chuck called me later that evening. I was in Tampa caring for my daughter Emily while she recovered from shoulder surgery. Here is our discussion:

Chuck: I had to go to MedCheck today.

Janet: Do you have the flu?

Chuck: No, I had to have 26 stitches.

Janet: WHAT? What happened, and why didn’t you go to the ER?

Chuck: You said the MedCheck is always quicker.

Janet: Not when you are bleeding!

He took antibiotics and had several checkups. All seemed well until Tuesday morning when I saw him limp ever-so-slowly to the bathroom. He said it felt like an ice pick was jabbing him in the leg. I looked at his leg. EEGAD! It was swollen and burgundy in color and had some yucky seeping.

Janet: We are going to the ER!

Chuck: Not the MedCheck?

Janet: You have an infection and possibly a blood clot!

Chuck: Let me eat breakfast first.

You can insert an eye roll from me here.

I will tell you that when you go to the ER during an Influenza A and Norovirus epidemic, you need to plan to wait. After seven hours, Chuck was assigned to a room two doors down from where I was in December when I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy.

The wound care staff arrived, and a plan was put together. Two high-powered antibiotics were given four hours at a time over four days. It took about 30 minutes every day to redress the wound.

Ever-so-slowly, his limp improved. The pain went from a seven at his highest to a dull ache. The doctors, nurses, and wound care staff were wonderful. (Think Chicago Med without the drama.)

What does this have to do with our dishwasher? Trust me, I’m getting there.

Every day, I camped out in Chuck’s room. My sofa area looked like I had moved in, with my computer, Bible, journal, Bible Study materials, and a blanket. I was deep into studying for an upcoming speaking event for the Noblesville United Methodist Church Prayer Breakfast for Lent. This PAUSE in our schedule gave me more time to focus.

In the evenings, I was on my own to load the few dishes I used into the dishwasher.

I brought Chuck home at about 4:00 on Friday. While I carried in all my stuff, I heard Chuck fixing us some cinnamon raisin bread and butter – or so I thought. I opened the dishwasher to put the butter knife in. Lo and behold, within 10 minutes of Chuck’s arrival home, he had rearranged the dishes, cups, and glasses inside. TEN MINUTES!

He saw me shaking my head. We both burst into laughter. I was so happy to have Chuck home and laughing. We continue to have our endurance tested in sickness and with our health. I am beyond blessed to have a husband who is so kind and patient.

I don’t have to worry about him being patient with me and how I load the dishwasher … he rearranges it and never complains. He loves this deranged squirrel and her inability to load the dishwasher “properly.”

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.