I had put in a long day of work at the office, and tonight, I really was hungry. I thought for sure dinner would be ready on the table when I got home, as my wife always so devotedly manages to do. I pulled the car into the driveway, anticipating a relaxing, nourishing meal, which would contrast sharply with the stress I experienced that day.
Saw an Empty Kitchen Table
You can imagine how surprised I was when I came in and saw an empty kitchen table. And even more surprising was my wife just standing there, as if nothing was amiss!
I felt myself being tested. I didn’t want to express my frustration, but I just couldn’t understand what had happened that day, of all days! She didn’t look like she was frazzled by anything that had happened that day, which might have delayed her making dinner on time. She was just standing there, calmly.
Without saying a word, and before I could say a word, my wife led me into the dining room, where I saw the gleaming stemware, china and silverware set out on the dining room table, with flowers and elegant napkins. It had an immediate calming effect on me.
Questioned His Wife – “What is This All About?”
I asked my wife, “What is this all about?”
She said to me, softly, “Chaim, don’t you remember what today is?”
I honestly was clueless.
She said, “It’s our anniversary. I wanted to do something special, so I prepared an elegant dinner, and thought it would be nicer in the dining room.”
I was glad I had not expressed my frustration!
Reprinted from the Parshas Ki Savo 5783 email of The Weekly Vort.
