Ray and Joan were an ordinary couple. They lived in an ordinary house on an ordinary street. like any other ordinary couple they struggled to make ends meet and to do the right thing for their children.they were ordinary in yet another way- they had their squabbles. Much of their conversation concerned what was wrong in their marriage and who was to blame.
until one day when a most extraordinary event took place.
"You know, Joan, I've got a magic chest of drawers. Every time I open them, they're full of socks
and underwear," Ray said " I want to thank you for filling them all these years."
Joan stared at her husband over the top of his glasses. "What do you what, Ray?
"Nothing. I just want you to know I appreciate those magic drawers".
This wasn't the first time Ray had done something odd, so Joan pushed the incident out of her mind until a few days later.
" Joan, thank you for recording so many correct check numbers in the ledger this month. You put down the right numbers 15 out of 16 times. That's a record."
Disbelieving what she had heard, Joan looked up from her mending. ' Ray, you're always
complaining about my recording the wrong check numbers. Why stop now?"
Disbelieving about what she had heard, "Joan looked up from her mending. What's gotten into him? she mumbled to herself.
Nevertheless , the next day when Joan wrote a check at the grocery store, she glanced at her checkbook to confirm that she had put down the right check number. ' why do I suddenly care about those dumb check numbers? She asked herself.
She tried to disregard the incident , but Ray 's strange behaviors intensified.
" Joan, that was a great dinner , 'he said one evening . "I appreciate all your effort. Why in the past 15 years . I'll bet you fixed over 14,000 meals for me and the kids."
Then, Gee, Joan the house looks spiffy. You've really worked so hard to make it look so good." And even " Thanks, Joan, for just being you. I really enjoy your company." you might not know this " Joan but I really cherish all the moments I get to spend time with you, just want you to know I really do sweetheart.
'Joan was growing a bit worried yet so moved by all the words and affection. " what happened to all the sarcasm and criticism?" she wondered.
Her fears that something peculiar was happening to her husband was confirmed by 16- year- old
Kelly, who complained, 'Dads gone bonkers, Mom. What's wrong with him, He just told me I look nice. With all this make up and these sloppy clothes it's creepy in a nice sort of way. That's not Dad,Mom. What's wrong with him?
Whatever was wrong. Ray didn't get over it. Day in and day out he continued focusing on the positive.
Over the weeks, Joan grew accustomed to her mate's unusual behavior and occasionally even gave him a grudging," Thank you". She prided on taking it all in stride, until one day something so peculiar happened, she became completely discombobulated.
"I want you to take a break," Ray said. ' I am going to do the dishes. So please take your hands off that frying pan and leave the kitchen."
( Long long pause.) "Thank you?, Ray ? "Thank you so much !!"
Joan's step was now lighter, her self-confidence higher and once in awhile she hummed. She didn't seem to have much blue moods anymore. " I rather like Ray's new behavior," she thought.
That would be the in of the story except fore one day another extraordinary event took place. This time it was Joan who spoke.
" Ray," she said, " I want to thank you for working all those long hours every single day and providing for all of us these years. I don't think I've ever told you how much I appreciate it."
"Ray" has never revealed the reason for his dramatic change of behavior, no matter how hard "Joan" has pushed for an answer, She just knows she like's the new vibe in the house. And she loves her new car " Ray bought her, " after leaving his job and started his online business. "The children are so happy that their Dad works at home now." "Ask "Ray why he's so positive and happy". He just smile's "let's out a little laugh," and says just copy what I do and you will end up being positive and happy too.
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