Subtlety and Suggestion

On my way to class, driving down Market Street with Klove blaring through my car, I heard an interesting adage:

"Subtlety is lost on a man."

The radio announcers were asking men to call the station and weigh in on the topic. Many men agreed, and of course, there were women who agreed as well.

Naturally, I began thinking about my own husband and whether he catches my subtle suggestions with any regularity.

One instance stuck out in my mind. I don't remember why but one day we ended up in a downtown pawnshop, browsing over the cast away items. A clarinet screamed at me from the wall. As a child, I loved to play. Tragically, my clarinet was destroyed in one of my mother's angry fits. I remember telling my husband about this event as we drove home. A few months later, my birthday rolled around and as you might have guessed, his gift to me was a clarinet.

I don't play much anymore. I just don't have time. But every now and then I take that clarinet down and unlock its case. I put it together and feel the keys beneath my fingers. I smile thinking about the gesture from my husband, an attempt to help heal a wound in my spirit from childhood. I keep it not because it's of great monetary value, but because of the love and thoughtfulness my husband poured into that gift. I hope one day that one of our children will decide to play. And maybe one day I will find time to play again too. For now, I'm thankful that my husband saw into my heart and bought me such a precious gift, even when I didn't know I really wanted or needed it. It means so much to me.

So maybe subtlety and suggestions aren't lost on all men all the time, just some men some of the time....

Do you have a story about how your husband, father, or someone special in your life gave you something or did something for you that showed he knew you in a special way? I'd love to hear your story!