| So, early last week, my wife was dropping some | | | | opening statement one last time. |
| hints that she was ticked at me for either | | | | After we get the baby down to bed, it's time to |
| something I had done, or something I was | | | | battle it out. I've got my note cards out, and I'm |
| supposed to have done, but didn't. Just to set the | | | | ready to take her down. Then something happens |
| record straight, my wife is the greatest woman in | | | | as she begins to let me know why she's upset. I |
| the world, and fortunately our arguments are few | | | | still know I'm "right", but I start to think about the |
| and far between. And I'll give her credit that | | | | consequences of my being right. What will I get |
| usually when she gets mad there's at least a half | | | | out of it? Will I win the argument? Maybe. Will my |
| way good reason. Having said that, my | | | | wife get more upset? Probably. Can anything |
| experience is that pregnant women in general are | | | | positive come out of me convincing my bride |
| more apt to get ticked at the smaller things, than | | | | why she is wrong and I am right? I couldn't think |
| those that are eating for one, so to speak. | | | | of even one thing. So what did I do? |
| So anyways, she's upset about something. How | | | | I sat there and listened. (Again, I'm a man, so |
| did I know? Besides the looks and body language, | | | | actually listening instead of just pretending to listen |
| I always know something's up when I hear an | | | | is a step ahead in itself.) I still felt the urge to at |
| abundance of the words "fine", "ok", and "nothing". | | | | least bring out exhibit B because it really was |
| And the context doesn't really matter. "How's | | | | good, but I didn't. I told her I understood why |
| your mom doing?" "Fine." "How are you feeling | | | | what she was talking about had made her upset, |
| today?" "Ok". "What's wrong?" "Nothing." Uh oh! "Is | | | | that I was sorry for making her feel that way, |
| it ok if I play basketball tonight?" "Nothing would | | | | and promised to try to do better to keep it from |
| be finer." When those words start flying, I know | | | | happening in the future. We hugged, kissed, and |
| I'm in for a "talk" sometime soon. And I love | | | | everything was good. And it was over in less than |
| talking to my wife, but I am a man, and so this | | | | 10 minutes. And I meant every word I said to |
| type of "talk" doesn't rate as my top 10 things to | | | | her. |
| do. | | | | A couple last thoughts. I still believe I was 100% |
| Moving on to the point of all this. I had an idea as | | | | "right" as far as the argument went. The things |
| to why she was upset, and after three days of | | | | she said I had and hadn't done weren't completely |
| fines, oks, and nothings, I knew the "talk" was | | | | true. But that doesn't matter. Perception is reality, |
| coming soon. (As a side note, things are always | | | | and how she was feeling was true for her. To try |
| better after the "talks", but again, I'm a guy.) | | | | to convince her otherwise would have been |
| Before I leave for work she says, "I think we | | | | useless. And, the last time I'll say it, I'm a man, |
| need to talk when you get home." Thanks honey. | | | | and I'm sure I probably did do something to tick |
| Now I have all day to think about it. So what do I | | | | her off. The pregnancy aside, you have to look at |
| do? I start to plan my defense. On this one I | | | | the outcome you want in deciding how to handle |
| know I'm right. I've got argument A, B, and C. | | | | a fight with your spouse. There are times to |
| I've even got exhibits and even a little DNA | | | | battle, but when it comes to the feelings of your |
| evidence. There's no way she's going to win. As I | | | | baby's mother, sometimes it's best not to be |
| get home from work I'm going through my | | | | "right". |