Bent Nails and Marriage

I can smell success in the air. I can also smell 26 chickens and 1 rooster confined to a space not quite large enough for them. Can you say... ammonia?

In about 48 hours, however, our chickens should be home free in their brand new spacious, outdoor, movable penthouse. Free to stretch out, eat grass, dig up bugs, breathe clean air, lay eggs in abundance, and squawk without my fearing a neighbor's call to the SPCA. But for now, they're still... er... enjoying their winter accommodations in our garage.

Yesterday, for about the dozenth time in this eight month saga of a construction project, I went on-site to "help" build the coop. I say "help" because the extent of my ambling assistance is holding boxes of nails, running to fetch tools and coffee, giving backseat driver advice, complaining about the temperature, and occasionally casting amorous glances at the master carpenter / general contractor. But when it comes to any real and valuable help as a carpenter, try as I might, I am a bumbling buffoon.

I broke an electric drill bit on my first plunge. I stripped the heads on both screws I tried to insert. I put the washer on the wrong side of the bolt. Even the simple task of hammering in a few tacks was completely un-learnable. I couldn't figure out if I really am a left or right-hander; the hammer felt equally awkward in both hands. Utter frustration!

My husband is a never-ending well of patience. "You just have to get comfortable. Here, try it again," he says calmly, as I bend yet another nail.

Before abandoning the project, my final tally of bent nails was 8. Straight nails? 1. No, it wasn't the last one... it was the first one... before I got cocky.

But the takeaway lesson from this humiliating show of my carpentry ineptitude was not shame, dejection, nor discouragement. Quite the contrary. What I brought to the table was a bright smile to lighten his day, loving hands to massage his shoulders, kind words to gladden his heart, and a boost to his masculinity with proof that he is absolutely needed to bring this project to completion.

Marriage is indescribably, outrageously, indubitably, undeniably, incredibly, unspeakably, amazingly the greatest, most beautiful and most wonderful gift ever. I love my life!