I Live Cautiously

                                             January, 2009 [In Belize]

Perhaps I was over-confident, adventuresome, perhaps even reckless when I wrote “I Live Dangerously” a while ago. Perhaps I have learned a few things about myself since then. Here are some examples of the other side of my life.

1. When I get out of bed at night, I am careful what I step on lest I stumble; I walk carefully toward the door and back to bed, aware not to kneel on her tiny feet as I return to my back side of the bed.
2. When I drive on the road where there is a wash out, or deep water holes, I drive at a snail's pace, almost literally, lest I once more hit bottom and spring a leak on the oil filter or pan and occur unnecessary expense, embarrassment, and work to repair the damage.
3. I hover around the kitchen when youth are cooking for themselves, like frying an egg, so that Loretta does not find something precious food missing later, much to her dismay.
4. I disallow anyone to use the washing machine on Sundays lest we be over busy, especially when Loretta is studying for Sunday school lessons, so they don’t think Sunday is just another day; telling them they should wash school uniforms before the last day before school resumes on Mondays.
5. I relate to women with reserve lest I stir up inappropriate feelings in the hearts of those hungry for love and intimacy.
6. I lock the door to the computer room sometimes so I don’t have to drive out those off the computer when I want to do something on the computer myself.
7. Sometimes I don’t express my temporary opinion to my wife lest it gets refuted before I am really settled on it.
8. When I can see very well why she is in trouble, I may not give her the answer, knowing she wants sympathy rather than my wisdom and hindsight.
9. I am slow to tell her my burdens, problems, or accidents lest it depresses her and then I have one more problem to live with.
10. When visibility is poor on the local roads, I slow down considerably lest I come suddenly on pedestrians or bicycles.
11. When I need to oppose the ideas or desires of a youth who is demanding or short tempered, I procrastinate giving an outright negative answer, perhaps asking a question instead, showing concern, so that he can tolerate my opposition to his desires.
12. I am gentle in telling Loretta about my contentment to live in Belize indefinitely, and identifying with her in those times when I can almost imagine living back there.
13. When a certain girl who has stolen shoes and perhaps other things comes to our house for something, I warn Loretta persistently to keep an eye on her every minute and not let her get out of sight for a second lest she rob us again. I have banned her from this house.