When Not to Cuddle Your Man

I want to begin this article by saying that I have not always been a very affectionate person.  As a matter of fact, there was a time in my life when I could take it or leave. Chances were I would more often leave it than take it. I mean, really, getting all mushy and emotional just was not my style. Besides, men had a tendency to hurt you once you gave them your heart.

I have to admit, however, that something strange has happened to me since I have been married to my husband.  I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but, over the course of time I have found myself actually enjoying the moments when my husband will hold me, cuddle me and just run his fingers through my hair.

Recently, with my bad health, I had been spending days and nights on end in our spare bedroom, which we appropriately call our "medical" room.  The room contains my wheelchair and meds and nebulizer and, believe it or not, much of the paraphernalia you might discover on a visit to the doctor's office.  Hour upon hour I'll stay in that stinking room, waiting for my sugars to level off, trying to grasp my breath and regain my strength so I can once again acquire some semblance to a normal life.

Well, during this most recent bout, after about a week or two of feeling cooped up and bed bound, I just wanted to be close to my husband. So, in the wee hours of the morning I slipped into our bedroom and climbed in bed with him. He was sound asleep and I cuddled up next to him. His body felt so good next to mine as he instinctively wrapped his arms around me.

However, after only just a few moments of this my husband said, "Well, I've got to go."

"No," I protested, "Don't go."

And he stayed.

Now, before I tell you what happened next, I just want to assure you that my husband is a very affectionate man. He caters to me, and will even carry me in his arms when I cannot walk. He will place me in my wheelchair and take me around the house. He will bathe me, and even wash and brush my hair. He cooks meals, washes dishes, does laundry… He is absolutely great! The Lord has truly blessed me with him. However, he still does not do windows.

When it comes to holding me and cuddling me, he is the best. And for that, I love him dearly.

However, after he had lain by my side for only a short period of time he began squirming and once again said, "I've got to go."

I did not understand. Why did he have to leave? Why couldn't he just hold on to me like he usually would? "No," I said again, "Don't go."

"I have got to go," he informed me in a matter of fact tone.

So, I turned over and he got up and left the room.

Sometime later, I caught up with my husband over a cup of coffee that we always have in the morning at our bistro table on the porch.

"Why did you have to leave?" I asked. "I just wanted to cuddle with you."

"Honey," he said with an awkward smile, "I had to go to the bathroom."

"Well, couldn't you have just held me for a few more minutes?"

My husband grimaced and squirmed. "Nope," he said, "You know all those cherries the little old ladies at the church have been giving us?"

"Yes."

"Well, I've got diarrhea… and honey, I've got to go… again."

So, ladies, during those odd moments when you are really longing to be held by your man and he just gets up and walks away, remember… Sometimes when a man says he's got to go… he's got to go!