Lessons at the Laundromat

So we moved.  Our new home is wonderful wonderful wonderful, but it took a few weeks and more than a few visits to the laundromat before Ryan had a free afternoon to bring down our washer and dryer from his parent's house.  Laundry is at the very, VERY bottom of my favorite things to do list, and that is when there ARE machines in my house doing the washing for me.  The whole hauling of dirty clothes, detergent, quarters, kids, more dirty clothes, snacks to entertain the kids for two hours so I can hang out with them in this grimy place and make sure our clothes don't get stolen while answering Russell's questions over and over about why the T.V. there keeps talking in Spanish.........the whole laundromat experience is one I'd love to avoid.  forever.  forevermore.  Except that I did learn a few lessons.  That's how I get to avoid it in the future, right?  By learning my lessons? 

Lesson #1:  you'd think the kids were buying gumballs the way they'd light up when it was their turn to put the quarters in the machines.  Simple joys can be found anywhere, everywhere.  Joy. Joy. Joy at the laundromat! 

Lesson #2:  don't forget to bring the detergent from home.  the little vending machines are WAY expensive.  But more quarters to put in machines equals more joy, right?...............so do forget it, or don't.  Whatever you need to do.

Lesson #3:  if you are ever without the convenience of a washer and dryer at home, make sure that your potty trained four year old son, who hasn't wet the bed in months, wears a pull-up diaper at night.  Or if you're still all about seeking the kind of joy to be found at a laundromat, don't.  Just be prepared for at least three accidents a week, 'cause life is hilarious joyful like that. 

Lesson #4:  right when you think you've found a legitimate excuse to feel sorry for yourself because this is your second visit this week and it's only Wednesday, in will walk a mother of three with her bicycle and laundry and children and detergent in tow............

 I drove home that day in my comfortable and spacious SUV feeling itty, bitty, bitty all the way home, vowing to never complain about having to drive to the laundromat. ever. again. 




Lesson #4 continued....and revised

I have always been one to gather strength and courage from knowing that no matter what I am going through, someone somewhere is surviving something worse.  Why this way of thinking has helped me wade through difficult times with a grateful and happy heart, I don't  know.  Does it work because it humbles me or does it work because I  am too proud; proud in thinking that if she can handle the laundromat experience with a bike, then I can be just as brave, right?  Or does comparing ever work?  I know better than to try to compare myself with someone who seems to have a life of greater ease and luxury,  but then why am I so quick to see my blessings through the light of what someone else doesn't have?   It has not only been my method for feeling grateful, but this "it could always be worse" method has served me well when I need to dismiss disappointment.  Until last week................when the flaws of my little philosophy became blazingly apparent.  I'll explain later.  Chocolate, however, has been a great stand-by as I'm learning this new life lesson.