When I return from a trip, I try to build in a recovery day, to catch my breath before catching up. It typically includes a lot of laundry, direct from suitcase to washer.
Of all household tasks I find laundry one of the least daunting and most satisfying. Today I realized one reason why.
Right now, sad, hard things are happening to friends, loved ones, and far-flung strangers. I’m finding it difficult to take it all in, and even more difficult to respond in ways that feel appropriate. So many reminders of how much in life is out of our control.
I think about it all as I wash, dry, sort, fold, put away.
It becomes a kind of ritual, a way to create small moments of order and calm.
Delia
January 12, 2011 at 6:21 pmThat is absolutely the way I feel about laundry, also dishes. When so much is out of control, one little corner of orderliness and routine is a blessing.
Ellen is very glad I feel this way.
Sara
January 12, 2011 at 8:45 pmHa! Yes. I myself benefit from Steve’s pro-sweeping stance.