We were at a family get together with my EC’s family, when my EC began feeling some stomach discomfort. Fortunately for us, my wife’s family is filled with nurses.
One sister-in-law, in particular, had spent most of her life as an ER nurse, and has seen just about everything there is to see. She also has a track record of knowing just how to help people feel better, and somehow manages to have just the exact medication, or treatment to help what ails you. In her purse.
As my wife began feeling more discomfort, I figured that she might as well ask her sister if she had anything in her bag of tricks that might help. I may have been a little flip about how I phrased it.
“Ask your sister – she’s a Walking Pharmacy.”
Immediately my EC’s expression changed, She looked wounded, and not happy with me. (Luckily, I picked up on it because I am a caring and astute husband.)
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She replied earnestly, “I can’t believe you would call my sister that.”
“Why not? It’s true!”
“It is NOT true, and it’s RUDE.” She pushed back, and the look of hurt began to transition to anger.
I was confused. I guess it was a little rude, but the reaction that I was receiving exceeded the impropriety of my remark. Something was amiss.
“Honey, hang on a second. What do you think I called your sister?”
“A Walking Fart Machine.”
Hilarity ensued. I was laughing so hard that I couldn’t explain to her what had happened. Eventually I did, and she joined in the laughter. It has since become one of the family’s classic stories, and a reminder that what we hear is not always what was said.
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Oops! Definitely not the blog for me. You actually used the “F” word…and an abbreviation (EC) that only devotees of your blog would understand out of context.
I completely understand. (And the definition of EC is right over there, —–> for anyone to see.)
My husband and I are both fighting colds today. If laughter is the best medicine, we should be fine any minute now. Thanks!
An Emily Litella moment? (Ohhh… that’s different! Never mind!)
That is such a funny story 😀 Being mis understood is hard but sometimes in the end it can lead to more and better communication, I’ve been mis understood before but never in as hilarious a way as you…Now I think I will go and share Shantel’s Grandmother in laws cherry pie story with my husband,he will be in stitches as well as your walking pharmacy story…thanks for sharing this and I hope that your wife feels better…
Every family needs a mechanic, a dentist, and a walking pharmacy. Most just have the walking fart machines.
Great comment!
That is the best thing I have heard all week.
If you can laugh with your wife always about silly things you can survive. 🙂
Hahaha! That made me laugh so hard! That reminds me of a story when my daughter was young.We had an old cat who was acting a little out of sorts, so my hubby said maybe she was run down and we should feed her some beef hearts.My daughter looked at us puzzled and queried….”But how are you gonna catch them?” It was our turn to be puzzled.”Catch what?” I asked her. Her innocent response..”The bee farts.”
We laughed about that for a long time too.
MMM’s story and your story made me laugh so hard. I think I am a little immature for my age.
Even if your EC had understood the words correctly she could have been upset that you were being critical of her sister because she carries so many remedies. So often the words we use to quickly expressed what we’re thinking get us in trouble. It might have been safer to take it bit longer to express the thought as in: “Why don’t you check with your sister? She always seems to know exactly what’s needed.” just saying…
She wouldn’t have been upset by that – we had discussed it before. We tend to not seek out reasons to be offended in our marriage.
ROFL!
….and the hilarity continues as the story is retold