Advice for a Long Marriage

I thought I would pass along a conversation

my mother had with 

a distant relation who has been married 

nearly fifty years.

This man has a chronic disease which

makes speaking difficult and therefore

the words spoken were said 

with much effort and determination.

After listening to a Pastor's sermon 

on marriage 

and the frustrations that are so minor

and yet become 

so irritating

such as squeezing the toothpaste in the 

middle and leaving the cap off...

this is what the husband said.

"She squeezes the tube 

in the middle...... and leaves the cap off."

Mom waited.

He finished.

"I got my own tube!"

How many times do we prefer to try to change 

our spouse as opposed to finding a solution 

that leaves the freedom to each others preferences?

I just loved this conversation and 

have thought about it several times this week.