By Josephine Lowman
If my husband ever said, “Jo, you have been a good wife to me,” it would scare the wits out of me.
It would frighten me not because there is anything wrong with being a good wife. That is a fine thing to be, and I think if it ever occurred my husband to weigh me in this way, he might decide that I have been a fairly good wife.
What does being “a good wife” indicate as the term is generally used? It means that you have been faithful, that you have been a conscientious mother, that you have run your home efficiently, that you have graciously received the unexpected guest even when it was your husband’s friend or relative, that you have been thrifty. Believe me, many a man with a fly-by-night, hare-brained wife would welcome these qualities.
BEYOND CALL OF DUTY
Yet it seems to me that there is something wrong with just being a good wife. That term indicates that you have lived up to the tenets of your marriage contract, that you have fulfilled your duty. However, in war and marriage, the heroic and lovely contributions are those done “above and beyond the call of duty.
How easy have you been to live with, how gay and encouraging? How much fun has it been to live with you? How interesting is your conversation? How tender have vou been — how understanding – how tolerant? How pretty have you kept yourself?
LOVE IS BEST
Have you been more intrigued with your husband than with your house and children? Has
life with you been romantic because you belive in life and in human nature and in your husband and love them all?
Would you rather be loved than be right? Would you prefer to hear your husband say, “There is no one else in the world like you, darling.” Instead of “You have been a good wife to me.” If so, better think things over.
From It’s Fun to Stay Young in the Long Beach Press. Long Beach, California. February 11, 1951.
