Family

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I 'had it all'...all the cleaning, cooking, bedmaking, washing, ironing,nursing, counselling.

I must have been a masochist, because even though I 'had it all' at home, with a Spouse and three fledglings, I went OUTSIDE and 'had it all' again!
Cleaning for others, homes, offices, factories, even a bowling alley!

I was adept at using an electric floor polisher. I knew {with a mop and wheeled bucket} plus stripper, I could strip and polish any vinyl floor!
I knew which pad to use on the polisher, to remove the old polish.
Using a mop and bucket, I applied the liquid polish, left it to dry, then buffed it with another pad.

In fact, you could say you could eat off of the floor!

I emptied so many trash cans, I could have put the 'garbos' out of business.

Vacuum cleaners? Been there.

Even the ones you wear on your back!

Keys, alarms? Done that!

Dusting? Never ending!

Mopping? A star was born!

Ironing? Too easy!

I had it all at home when the Fledglings grew into their teenage years- arguments, tantrums, loud music, parties, dates, broken hearts, insecurities, more dates, broken friendships, isolation, hairstyles, morning blues, school reports, shoes, inapproprate clothing, inappropriate partners, tears, tissues, cigarettes and loathing.

I remember sitting in my car around 11 pm, waiting for my eldest child who had just finished a gruelling 6 hour shift at McDonalds.
She earned the minimum wage. I, however, was expected to start work the following morning at 5am.
In all fairness to my husband, a shift-worker, he had to rise at 4am.

The hands of time moved forward, interspersed with Weddings, dog-ownership-dog-losses, Childbirth,Divorce,Beautiful Christmases, Happy New Years, Losses of loved ones, Holidays in the sun, Arguments, Computers, Foxtel, Birthdays and Easters.

I STILL have it all......
all the washing {which is miniscule in comparison}
Ironing { with my eyes closed}
Floors get an occasional promise.
Dusting is old hat!
Framed photos crowd each surface.
The garden is blooming!
The windows are shining.

My dear husband and I live in the same home-albeit a little empty since the fledglings flew!

Within the fabric of our home,there are echos.

I can hear crying babies, a dog bark, gulping milk bottles, dirty nappies, {daipers} first smiles, first teeth, laughter, jokes told, received, hugs, promises, assurances, joy, some sadness, grief, whispers, voices
Yet, there is no room at all for loneliness.
Indeed, I have it all!

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