I was 12 when I was informed by my mother that I was responsible for more than just my underwear; for when I turned 12 I turned into a young lady and "a young lady needs to know how to wash and iron her clothes". Before that day, my mom would do my laundry everyday. At that moment, for the first time, I questioned why would my mother do laundry everyday? There was no reason for it. I had enough clothes that would last for more than a week. I wasn't going to do my laundry everyday. No way, I only needed one day out of the week-Laundry day.
I would procrastinate at the thought of Laundry day. I would wait till I had nothing left in the closet. You'd know it was my laundry day if you saw me wearing fancy clothes like skirts and dresses to school.
My life was busy at 12; school, TV, Music, boys, Music Videos, talking on the phone for endless hours with my closest best-friends, Music, boys, homework;there was no time for Laundry. It just wasn't fair. And these excuses and feelings did not change over the years.
When I first started to work, I tried to send my Laundry out, well, till I found how much it cost, after that, the laundry mat didn't look so bad. What's 2 hours out of your day anyway? I would flirt, read a book, do my homework, sleep or sometimes watch a little laundry mat TV. Most of the time, though, I people watched. I would see what laundry detergent they used, how they folded, and I wondered how long someone can stand to do laundry before they go out of their mind.
Then, I would look at horror at those poor mothers with their mountain of children clothing. They would be the first ones in and the last ones to leave the laundry mat. How my heart ached for them. How I prayed that would never be me. I lived a long time not knowing.
Now, The MotherMe does the laundry EVERYDAY. The MotherMe can't stand to have her son's clothes stained or not smelling like beautiful baby. Not just his clothes, but, bedding, wash clothes, towels, blankets, and toys. Even My grandma's blouse if baby's spit up on it, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
How much does a 7 week old baby dirty? Not much, most of the time, he doesn't even get formula, pee-pee or # 2 on his clothes yet I launder. I launder in the evening; I launder in the morning: I launder at 3am and I launder at 3 in the afternoon. All with a silly smile on my face; all with joy; all with ease and with no resentment. (Con todo mi Santa Calma) The MotherMe jumps at the chance to get a few minutes of laundry done. The MotherMe is one mean washing machine. Oh, I can't even describe the ecstasy of folding.
Finally, I understand my mother. She wasn't anal and controlling but a loving mother. Those laundry mat moms were at peace with their mountain of clothing. Laundry day is everyday in my home and I'm glad of it.
THE END
The Blessing/lesson learned: I've finally made my peace with laundry and Now I am freed from it.
love
Awilda
Read more articles by awilda aponte or search for articles on the same topic or others.
