Marriage
What’s That?
by
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What if We Are Total Opposites?
Many have heard the adage that “opposites attract.” I’ll tell you that Kirby and I are total opposites – totally! That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but after I’ve explained myself, I’m sure you will see the same picture.
When I first met Kirby, I saw him as an introvert, a thinker, but the more I was with him, he became more open. No sharing changed to some sharing. I really thought English was his first language, but he tells me he speaks Texican. I’m not sure the Texans that I know would agree.
I’ve become an interpreter of the English language. Kirby has a whole different vocabulary from the normal English speaking community. For instance, in dealing with our Shih Tzu, Lady, she’s beautimus. When brushing her, Lady’s front paws are hands, and her back legs are hīnders. If she scratches, she’s scritching. By the way, fleas are runners, and her collar is her necklace. That’s just a few with Lady.
In conversation with grandkids recently, Chick-Fil-A was Fillet of Chicky. Letters can be omitted, changed, or added as in samich for sandwich and sloup for soup.
Then there is the total unknown such as referring to vehicles from the past – the expression of four/sixty. This was explained as air conditioning by four windows rolled down going sixty miles per hour. I was totally lost on that one.
Recently, a friend was over discussing her need for some wood to be cut. Kirby brings out a box and declares he has a board shortner, at which time we proceed to question him. We had no clue what he was carrying. To relieve your curiosity, it was a circular saw.
When our children were at home, Kirby would tell a joke. This joke would have to be interpreted before we could even consider laughing at it. I don’t know if that made it funnier, or if that took the punch out of it. We started calling them Daddy jokes. We all knew what that meant.
When our kids were elementary age, any trip we took included stopping at markers along the side of the road to have a little Texas history thrown in. Kirby would call the historical markers hysterical markers. It was years before our children knew they were historical.
This is just a taste. Like I said, Kirby calls it Texican. I won’t tell you what I call it. Since we’ve been married forty eight years, I should be a pretty good interpreter by now, except he’s always adding to the list. Knowing what he is saying and knowing what he means can be two totally different things.
Kirby was blessed with a very high IQ and is right handed. He tends to function from a logical point of view. Kirby’s a born leader. He’s been a project manager much of his career and is computer savvy. His first assignment in nineteen sixty seven was writing a computer program for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston. You remember he’s mainly choleric which says, “I’m boss. I have the right answers.” He’s a very detailed person; he may tell you over and over again to make sure you get it. He’ll take you to a destination three different ways, because he can. Being very mechanical, he’s excellent at repairing just about anything; he focuses on function. Does it work? However, focusing on being punctual is not a priority. Remember, his love language is physical touch. There you have Kirby Kyle.
My picture does not even come close to Kirby’s. I have an average IQ, and I’m left handed. I enjoy simplicity. Since I don’t know much about function, I tend to move toward how something looks (form). Is it aesthetically pleasing to the eye? I like things done right the first time. Being on time, punctual, is important to me. My qualities of patience, dependability, and organization place me in a serving capacity. Being a registered nurse has been my field of service. I’m creative, and I have enjoyed taking care of our home, training our children to become productive adults in our land of the free. Investing into my grandchildren’s lives is important to me. I would rather shoot the computer than master it, and I’m very directionally challenged. I have been known to enter a store and come out wondering from which way I just came. If you remember, my love language is quality time (one on one, undivided attention). There you have Glenda Kyle.
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About the Book
After writing My Child, Walk With Me, I believed that I’d finished investing into the lives of my grandchildren through books. One night at Bible study, our associate pastor announced that she was getting married. I jokingly commented that Kirby and I could give her premarital counseling – a joke! Two members of the class chimed in saying that “marriage” was to be my next book.
Driving home, I pondered what had been said. I decided to ask the Lord what He thought. My question to Him was, “If I write another book, what would You call it?”. Immediately I heard, “Marriage – What’s That?”. In response, I threw up my hands and declared, “Well, I guess I’m writing another book.” It’s important to know that a book is inspired by God, that He’s given His approval.
Marriage – What’s That? teaches older children and adults how God sees marriage. This work expounds on recognizing true love and identifying your spouse. Marriage – What’s That? explores becoming the best you. You will find wisdom in dealing with finances and children. Do you know your love language? Do you need communication skills? Are you clear on resolving conflict? What if you’re total opposites? You’ve got questions? This book’s got answers.
About the Author
Glenda Kyle is a registered nurse by trade. Coming from a linage of long marriages, she and her husband, Kirby, have been married forty eight years. They have taught marriage classes, served on communication weekends, and counseled many regarding premarital advice. The Kyle family has two children and seven grandchildren. Residing in Round Rock, Texas, they serve wherever God leads.