Families are all different. And each has its own traditions. Sometimes you only discover these once you are married. For example – tomato soup as part of Christmas lunch! I’m sorry, run that past me again dear. “We always have tomato soup as part of Christmas lunch.” “But we never have tomato soup at Christmas time and................ where are the roast potatoes?” “Oh we never have roast potatoes at Christmas.” It’s a bit of a shock as you have to make an immediate cultural adjustment right there in front of the extended family with a steaming hot plate of tomato soup whilst craving a couple of crispy roast potatoes. Such little adjustments are part of the marriage game. Get used to it. There will be others.
The other tradition which is intriguing relates to the Swiss Army Knife. At a certain point in time in my wife’s family you are given a Swiss Army Knife. They are great things, highly treasured and immensely versatile. But it can get a bit stressful if you have forgotten it is in your hand luggage and some eagle-eyed official removes it and threatens to bin your precious possession as you are going through security at Edinburgh Airport. That’s the time you hastily run back to the paper shop, buy a padded envelope and post it home to yourself before just, just, just making your flight.
Swiss Army Knives are legendary. In the original range there is the Spartan, the Camper, the Hiker, the Huntsman, the Fisherman, the Explorer..............and others. Then there is the All Blacks, the Crystal Collection, the Executive Collection and others including the 125th Victorinox Soldier Heritage Knife – a replica of the original knife of 1891. They are an iconic brand and item. (No-one should be without one...except perhaps in Scotland where carrying a knife might get you arrested.)
Robbie Williams recently got married and said of his wife, ”She is my Swiss Army Knife.” She is obviously muti-purposeful and versatile. It is a great thing to find a good wife. The writer of the Book of Proverbs in the Bible says, ”A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good not harm all the days of her life.” Perhaps a William’s translation would be “A good wife, who can find her? She is like a Swiss Army Knife, useful in all sorts of scrapes.”
Charm can be deceptive and beauty fleeting but good character is precious in both a husband and a wife, far beyond our mere usefulness, which is not unimportant. Learning to serve one another, looking for the best in each other, being considerate, giving daily compliments can enhance every relationship.
Now, I need someone to go up on the roof and straighten the satellite dish.........doh!.........where is my Swiss Army Knife when I need her!
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