This got my thoughts going in a couple of directions. First was a happy marriage tip. I always see my hubby off to work - I kiss him goodbye at the door and stand there and wave as he drives off. When I hear our truck coming down the road (sometimes having a loud diesel has it's benefits lol!) I go to the door and greet him there with a kiss and let him know I missed him.
I do this because I really do miss him when he is gone but also because I want him to know he is loved and appreciated. It is important that he know he matters to me. That it matters that he goes to work to support us everyday and that I care that he comes home to me at the end of it.
I also try and have dinner going when he gets home so he can smell good things to come and if it will be a little while until dinner is ready I have a snack waiting for him. I do my best to have the house clean and welcoming for him. I want our home to be a safe haven for him after a long day dealing with all the stress that goes along with his job.
Many years ago a couple of our friends split up. Things had been going badly for quite some time and when it finally ended the husband confided in me that the one thing she did that hurt him the most was she never saw him off to work - never even got up or even made his lunch. She also never greeted him when he came home, she barely tossed a hello over her shoulder to him and certainly did not stop what she was doing. He said it made him feel like he didn't matter to her at all. That she could careless if he even came home. It was extremely hurtful to him. I never wanted my hubby to feel that way.
Second thing that seeing piggy there reminded me of is creating a welcoming home. What I can do to make people feel welcome at our home. Here are a few things I do...
- I try to keep my house clean and ready for when people just pop by so I never need to hesitate or be embarrassed to invite them in. Also if the day has gotten away from me and things are not all tidy I invite them in anyway without apology, I do not want them to feel like they are putting me out, I just carry on with the visit since they are there to see me anyway and not my house. That was a hard go for me at first until I popped in on my friend one day. She was in the midst of canning, home schooling and selling puppies not to mention the kittens running around. She was disheveled and her house was cluttered and messy and it was a happy busy place. It was one of the most comfortable visits I have ever had with anyone. She was genuinely happy I was there and carried on with her day while we chatted. It was a game changer for me.
- I keep a selection of teas, coffee, hot chocolate and k-cup cider and flavored coffees on hand so I can offer my guests their choice of beverages.
- I bake several times a week so I always have some type of baked treat on hand to offer.
- I like to have nice mugs and pretty serving plates for guests because I think it makes people feel special when there are pretty things ~smile~
- I keep a list taped inside my cupboard of how guests like their coffee or tea so that when they come again I do not have to ask I can just serve them their beverage the way they like it. It really does go a long way to letting them know they are special to you and you are glad they came by.
- When you love others and love hospitality it really does show and that is the most important key to making people feel welcome.~smile~
So just a few thoughts that a chubby little kitty in the window brought to mind.
Happy Tuesday!
Blessings,
Liisa
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