BEST-SELLING AUTHOR SHEILA ROBERTS
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KEEPING THE LOVE ALIVE

2/14/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
I think it's a good thing to have one day a year where we celebrate love. Most of us have so many wonderful people in our lives - it's great to have a day when we can honor those relationships.
It's also good to remember all through the year how special those special ones are. And after so many years with my honey Gerhardt I fell somewhat qualified to offer some tips on how to keep the love alive.

Our marriage has had some real ups and downs. Let me tell you, some of those downs have been real downers: coping with having a handicapped child, living through some soap opera adventures, having money struggles and, recently staring down cancer. But we've also had good times: great fun with our kids, our siblings and nephews and nieces, wonderful parents, memorable family gatherings, great times with friends, career success and travel adventures. And through it all we've had each other. This is not to say we've always had a perfect relationship. That's had its ups and downs, too. But we've hung in there and I've got to say that we're closer now than we ever were before. And I think part of what has pulled us together is clinging to each other during those hard times.

Here's what else we've done over the years to stay connected.
Enjoy common interests.
Ever since we got engaged we've played tennis together. He usually beats me but I'm determined to take him down one of these days. We also love to watch movies and mysteries on TV and most weeknights you'll find us smuggled on the couch watching some poor slob get his throat slit. We also go dancing once a week. Manly man that he is my husband took West Coast Swing lessons with me and we are death on the dance floor. He's also picked up a little Waltz and can Cowboy Cha-Cha like nobody's business. And we know 4 whole Tango steps.
Our newest adventure is taking up golf which is proving very entertaining as Gerhardt has total Donald Duck meltdowns on the course. This year is going to be one of travel adventures as we hope to visit the set where "The Nine Lives of Christmas" will be filmed this spring. And then, come fall, we'll be off for a winter cruise in Germany. Woohoo!
Keeping your friendship alive by doing things together will also keep the love alive.

Do for each other
Even though I hate getting up early I always make Gerhardt's breakfast before he goes off to teach his college German class.
I massage his aching muscles when he's overdone it (and he does the same for me). He's taken me to all my doctor and chemo appointments and waited on me and rubbed my aching joints when I've had bad days. He works part time as my assistant in my writing business and I'm currently editing his first book. We are each others' number one fan.

Remember special days
Like today. If you're broke you don't have to go out to eat. Stay home and feed each other chocolate. You can get small sample boxes for next to nothing at your favorite drugstore or Wallmart. I either get a chocolate rose or fun Valentine socks on my pillow and he always gets a big Hershey's kiss.
A massage and a romantic trip to the bedroom after the kids are in bed is free!

Fight nice
When you're upset explain how you feel and what you'd like. Starting sentences with "You never" is not half as effective as "I feel like" or "It would make me so happy if you could"

Always be appreciative
Especially of those household chores your hubby does. Does he like to do a lot of the cooking? Thank him. Compliment him on his culinary skills (and thank you're lucky stars you don't have to be in the kitchen every night!) Does he take out the garbage without asking? Keep the garage organized. Let him know you appreciate it. Thank him when he does something nice. Tell him how much you appreciate him. This is a little like dog training where you're saying, "Good boy," and patting Rover on the head. The positive reinforcement makes Rover much more inclined to be a good dog. :)

Remember to see his good points through a magnifying glass and his flaws from a distance. None of us are perfect and there will always be times when we get upset with each other. Those are the times it's important to remember what you love about your sweetie and remind yourself why you got together in the first place.


Keep the commitment
Yes, there are times when you can't (when abuse is involved), but many of us are tempted to throw in the towel over an accumulation of misunderstandings that have piled up. Go to marriage counseling, try the above suggestions. Don't give up easily on your love. If you can hang in there and work through the hard times you will come out stronger as a couple. We've learned this from first hand experience.



Anyway, those are my thoughts. What do you do to keep the love alive?


2 Comments
Cynthia E. Blain
2/21/2014 11:24:36 am

This was a marvelous posting and I just had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed it and also how much I agree with it. We have been married over 50 years now and yes, at times, you do have to work on things to keep them going smoothly, but that is life in general. We have to put in something to get something out of most everything so why should marriage be the same.

I guess it is communication that keeps us going strong and the ability to overlook the others frailties or not so perfect attributes now that we are older (old as dirt just about) and also my sense of humor too. haha. Humor is a big plus in touch times, and I try to keep that alive and going strong every day.

Get well, Sheila and keep doing your wonderful job of writing such beautiful books.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Cynthia

I am so grateful for my husband's help in everything especially the things that I cannot and would not want to or be able to do myself. He doesn't like to cook and I love to do it, so that works great and he loves to fix and repair things and I can barely hold on to a screwdriver without stabbing myself. So, the teamwork is great with us and as I can see, for you and your husband as well.

It touched my heart to read how your husband has been with you for all of your treatments and the no so good times as well as the happier and healthier ones, and you would be there for him if the situation were reversed.

I will always be grateful to my husband for all the times he has held my hand and been through some rough medical problems with me and how he takes me to many of my frequent doctor appointments even now. I have had to use a mobility scooter now almost every times I leave my home and if it weren't for him, I would not be able to go much of anyplace or go without extreme pain with having to walk instead of "ride". With a set back recently with vascular ulcers forming on my ankle and foot again, and the severe pain, just to have someone ask how you are and know that they care means so much. I know what having a not so perfect body is and I wouldn't wish it on anyone else and I feel so blessed that my husband puts me above all else (well, our three grandchildren come in pretty close) and we would love to have another 20 or more years to still be able to prove our love to one another.

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Wendy M Theisen
6/5/2014 07:43:20 am

Thank You Sheila and Cynthia for sharing your wonderful advice and inspiring stories with others! I will pray that God blesses you both with more wonderful years. I am sure that you bring such joy to your family and friends! And isn't that what makes this life worthwhile?! Sincerely, Wendy

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"Sheila Roberts makes me laugh. I read her books and come away inspired, hopeful, and happy."
— Debbie Macomber, New York Times Best Selling Author

  • Home
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