The Evolution of Laundry

As a new mom, the laundry was almost all baby spit. Bibs and blankets filled the machine. I was constantly alert to the smell of baby puke. Then the foodies: strained peas and squash or some puree’d meat were my nemesis.

As they grew, it became a game of chasing stains. Grass stains and finger-paints were  a daily occurrence. Then a boy… He was the most colicky. The laundry took longer, as I inspected each piece to spray or soak out the various assaults. Next, we had a neat freak girl, but that didn’t last. She became one of our messiest. Another boy came last.

In the early years of glue and sparkles, beads and and beanbags, I’d check the pockets and relieve the frogs. Within twelve years, there was money and stones full of mica. There were hair bands and candy wrappers. There were memory verse cards and tiny dinosaurs.

By the time a couple of them had moved out, there were dog treats and donkey leashes. There were still candy wrappers. There were still memory verses and notes. There were still coins and occasional dollar bills.

With just two young adults in the house, I seldom do anyone else’s laundry. When I do, there are still dog treats. There are spent shells. There are rarely candy wrappers or tiny pieces of paper. My washing machine is pretty clean these days.

The evolution of laundry is ongoing. It will continue to evolve. The only real constant in life is change.

As I thought about how the world is changing; the wars and rumors of wars, the riots in the streets, the youth fighting each other in their own neighborhoods, the starving, the wealthy, I think of how different it is in the various groups, but how it is the same. Everything changes over time. We all grow and change.

From conception until the day we die, there will be change. We choose how we will change. Will we grow to love people more? Will a root of bitterness choke our hearts?

Change is inevitable. Circumstances are out of our control often. Our world is in a state of constant change.

Last year, I participated in women’s self defense classes for two hours, twice per week. They were tough. I also danced with my husband a few times per week and I worked 25 to 36 hours every week. My job was no picnic either. It was very demanding.

In November of 2014, I couldn’t shake a headache. It got worse and wouldn’t go away.  There was migratory joint pain and dizziness, stiffness and tremendous weakness and fatigue. By January, I’d quit all activities and reduce my work hours by half. In March, I left my job.

The doctors gave me loads of medicines and supplements. Some helped. Some didn’t. It’s almost a year and the headache is sometimes better. I can read and think. I can even do laundry. Although, I don’t carry it up the stairs. All through, even when I cry in pain, I smile at the life I’ve had.

I will look back on this time too. Like all the rest of our lives, there are lessons that I can learn about myself, about life, about people, about God. There are  coping strategies that serve us well and some that don’t. In time I will be better… in every way.

As I look at the little things like laundry and I think about the evolution of its composition over the years, I think life is like that.

No one has everything easy. We all have stuff to deal with. The stuff changes from time to time. Please remember those in your circle of influence. Encourage them from time to time. We all need it.

When do you need it?