Sainthood
“All virtues are purifications whose term is perfect purity. The Soul has all virtues by way of purification. If it did not, no one of them would attain perfection. Whoever has the virtues under this higher form possesses necessarily – in potency – the virtues under their lower form. But one who possesses the second does not necessarily possess the first.” Plotinus
My wife was a saint. She was raised by a saint. Her mom, Thelma, sits at the right hand of God and acts as his advisor. She shares her insights with him even though he may not ask for her advice. She is such a giving person. She imbued many of those same generous, giving traits to my wife who throughout our marriage sat at my right hand and gently, persistently shared her advice with me. Both women are in heaven now and I’m sure the Lord is greatly appreciative of their generosity as, of course was I. After my wife’s father died, her mom, a devout Catholic, decided she wanted to join the Carmelite nuns and take a vow of silence. Being a very supportive son-in-law, I encouraged her to follow her dreams. My wife and all six of her sisters selfishly intervened to convince their mom not to join. They used the argument that they had just lost their dad and couldn’t bear to lose their mom as well. Despite her argument that each of her daughters would be forever in her prayers and that she would continue to live in the local convent, the daughters won and convinced their mom to remain an active lay person in the church.
While I’m sure Thelma appreciated my support, I was quite surprised that my wife was not as appreciative. My argument that I was only offering my support for the dreams of her mother was met with a counter argument that my argument was full of holes. Which was my first mistake. Lesson: don’t argue with your wife. Even when she’s wrong, she’s right. Because I’m the type of person who looks at the bright side of things, I’m sometimes blind to the notion that there are alternatives. Apparently, there is a downside to the vow of silence. Being an intelligent husband, I, of course, immediately prayed loudly for God to make me mute. I didn’t see the Bible coming as it whacked me alongside the head. So much for praying.
Husbandry 
Really Rich?
We sisters were only saving Thelma from a recipe of disaster. Can you imagine my mom ever learning to be silent in a cloister for the remainder of her life? Her story was written in the sound of music. It would not have been long before the nuns would have started singing “How do solve a problem like Thelma (Maria) How do you hold a moon beam in your hand! – A flibitty jibbet, a wistful of the willow, a child. 🎶
I believe God calls us to be our genuine self. And if seven of your best friends can’t mirror that who that is to you who can? I think she saw the light 🥰
Besides she really was such a good friend to each of her seven girls that none of us could bear the thought of not being able to talk with her.
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See? That’s just the problem we poor confused husbands face. We think we are acting in support of our in-laws which should make our spouses delighted with us, but instead our good intentions are met with derision and flying bibles. Marriage is a complete mystery.
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