Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Worrywart


Have you ever heard that expression? Usually in the form

"Don't be such a Worrywart."
Merriam-Webster defines wor·ry·wart as:
A person who is inclined to worry unduly.


From time to time, we all feel anxious. Wanting something to happen, or not to happen. Daddy used to call it borrowing trouble. No ones' life is perfect, no such thing. In 40 years we've had lots of worries. The first few years, it was how were we going to pay for...tuition, new baby or just the rent. Sprinkled along the way were cars that quit working, many job transfers and raising kids. Lots of worry there. But I must say illness was the one thing that makes you feel helpless. Everything else you can deal with. Everything else gets solved somehow. But illness is that uncharted land where the "What Ifs" lurk around dark corners and wait with bad news.

We had health issues with both of our daughters and at a very young age it was overwhelming. The stress it added to our marriage could have torn us apart. I can't say why that didn't happen. Maybe because we leaned on each other or perhaps because we both came from parents who worked out problems instead of giving up. We focused on the problem and what we had to do to get through it. Teamwork at it's best.

Every morning at our house begins with turning the coffeepot on, followed immediately with going outside to get the paper. Hubby loves his football, basketball and baseball. He devours the Sports Page daily. Coffee in hand we share the newspaper, the rest is all mine to digest leisurely while he reads the ball scores like he's studying for a test! I read the paper to him as I find interesting articles. He nods and hmmm's, acknowledging that he's heard me. Not much conversation really, but enough. We've figured out after 40 years what works for us. I think it's gonna last...

10 comments:

  1. Seeing the expression "worrywart" reminds me of one of my favorite labels, "sad sack."

    My dad used to call us sad sack when our attitude took a downward plunge.

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  2. I tend to be a bit of a worrywart, but I try to keep it in check. Worrying about something really doesn't change anything, so you're much better of just dealing with the situation. As hubby says, "let's not play the what if game"...

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  3. You're so right, Joycee. I'm 40 this year and won't stopped worrying almost anything! Crazy me! And as you mentioned so... money can't buy health!The best thing is to invest & take real good care of our own health in our early age. The next thing is to stay happy! Have a great time. Cheers.

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  4. Luckily I have never been a worrier...figure out what the problem is and fix it has always been my motto...I love this post...nice and simple about married life....

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  5. Ohmigosh, I haven't heard the word "worrywart" in years. It was one of my mom's favorites--because it seems to be a genetic trait in our family.

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  6. I have lots of worrywarts in my family! I have a little tendacy to worry about something but I do know that whatever it is will soon pass. I try to figure out what can be done about a problem and then I'm finished about thinking about it. Example: This cold, snowy, icy roads we have right now. I had a thought of what would I do if we got stranded on the road which just happened 2 times in the past 30 days to some people on the interstate. After that I decided to prepare my truck for the just in case emergency and now I'm prepared and don't need to worry about it! hehehe

    Hugs,
    Angela

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  7. I haven't heard the expression in years. I always took it to mean a person who worried needlessly. So, in my book, a person with real cause to worry can't be a worrywart. it's good to hear you'll be coasting into the sunset together :-). Blessings...Mary

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  8. HOW SWEET...i THINK IT'LL LAST TOO! WE TOO HAVE HAD OUR SHARE OF WORRIES OVER THE YEARS OF RAISING 8 KIDS, AND NOW WE WORRY ABOUT THE GRANDS! BUT WE TOO SEEM TO PULL TOGETHER WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH..LOVE THAT! COME SAY HI :D

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  9. We both read the paper while we have our breakfast. Hubby usually takes the front section first, so I get the sports. Then we swap. Of course, I also have to get online and read the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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  10. I used to be a worry wart then I got some real things to worry about! Then I had to learn how not to worry and put things in perspective. Sandie

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