Guilty Conscience

Back in the 60’s Woman, Woman by Gary Puckett was a favorite of mine because of the haunting melody and Gary’s rich voice.  I heard the words, but they really didn’t mean much to me then.  All that changed in the fall of 1996.
 Over the years I’d built an extensive CD library to the point that some were seldom played.  However when I got a new stereo for Christmas with a five disc changer I vowed to listen to every one before the year was out.  I was working an average of fifty hours a week and when my husband was home the TV was usually on which made the vow a bit more daunting, but I pressed on.
 There are two facts that I must mention to give you an idea of my state of mind when this memory happened.  First, it appeared that my marriage was falling apart—my husband had even gone so far as to say he was sure he felt anything for me anymore.  Secondly, a male co-worker began making overtures about the possibility of expanding our relationship beyond the workplace.  The attention was flattering, especially since my home life was falling apart, and I truly began to consider his propositions.
 Then on a rare day off and home alone I turned on my stereo.  Gary’s sultry voice reverberated through my being with his plaintive query—“Woman, Woman, have you got cheating on your mind?”  I was stunned as I really listened to the words and heard him describe my situation perfectly.  That song made me stop, and reconsider.  In the end I stayed true, confronted the problems with my husband, and worked through them to make our marriage better and stronger.  To this day I’m not sure if it would have come out that way if I hadn’t been confronted by that song at that moment.