This story below circulates on Facebook periodically. The author is unknown so proper
credit cannot be given. I am saving it now on my website, so I don’t have to search for it
when I need future comfort.

I resonate with this story because cooking is not my forte. I have a few things that I do
well; but my menu is limited. I like to cook when I’m in the mood, and the urge does not
occur abundantly.

When I am moved to cook or bake, I like to experiment and that is often unfortunate. I
think I should have pursued a career at Pillsbury or Betty Crocker test kitchen to
promote my cooking sense of humor. Now for the story I love and dedicate to my
husband, Scott.

“One night, my mother made dinner after a hard day’s work. She placed a plate of eggs,
salad and burnt toast in front of my father. I immediately noticed the burnt toast and
waited to see if he was going to complain about it. But instead, Dad started eating and
asked about my day at school.

Mom apologized to Dad for the burnt toast. And I’ll never forget his response to her,
“Honey, I love burnt toast!”

Later that night, as I was getting ready for bed, Dad came over to kiss me goodnight. I
asked him if he really liked burnt toast.

He hugged me and said, “Your mom put in a long hard day at work today and is very
tired. She put her whole heart into preparing the food for us. Besides, burnt toast never
hurt anyone, but harsh words can be very hurtful!

We must recognize people’s efforts, and appreciate what they do for us, even if it’s not
perfect, because what counts is their intention to do it well, and nobody is perfect.

You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people I’m no exception; I forget
birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else.

What I’ve come to appreciate over the years is that learning to accept each other’s
faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important
keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. Life is too short to wake up
with regrets. Love the people who treat you right and have compassion for the ones
who don’t.”