Wives were taught to be water. To bring harmony to the mountain of the home, their husband, and to be the river that nurtures and forever quenches the thirst for reprieve from the darkness of the outside world. While strong husbands have always held the wolves at bay, women have, since time immemorial, held the home together with their awesome grace, their love, their strength of spirit.
A tree is known by its fruit. The fruit of the past produced our mothers, our grandmothers, our great grandmothers, as well as their beautiful, timeless, feminine charm. This popular excerpt has often been cited for its contrasting societal norms of past decades and those of the present day, though its denoted origins have also been contested. We now share it with you, our reader, for whatever truth lives inside it.
Hate it. Or love it. We leave it to you.
1. Have dinner ready
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal--on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.2. Prepare yourself
Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.3. Clear away the clutter
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.4. Prepare the children
Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.5. Minimize the noise
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.6. Some DON'TS
Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.7. Make him comfortable
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair, or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.8. Listen to him
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.9. Make the evening his
Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and relax.10. The goal
Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.Share your stories with us at [email protected], and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
