Best of Beth Ashley: Putting others first is an old habit

Frankie Frost/IJ archive

Beth Ashley

Editor’s note: The IJ is reprinting some of the late Beth Ashley’s columns. This is from 2010.

I’ve reverted to habits of old, the ones where I put myself second.

My husband gets the biggest piece of meat, the juiciest cantaloupe and the unburnt slice of toast. I give him the fluffiest towel and the comfier side of the bed.

In my previous marriage, it was ever thus.

I made sure that the rest of the family got the long end of the stick; as a wife and mother...