Our trip to the laundromat looked something like this: Isabella skipping (obviously feeling better), me dragging Oliver who was crying because he wanted to sit in the stroller, Simon strapped on my back and the laundry piled high into the stroller. At the time I was ready to cry. But, in hindsight, I really should have stopped and taken a picture of us all walking down the street. It was pretty amazing. (A mama with 3 kids turns heads on the UWS. A mama with 3 kids and pushing laundry down the street. You would have thought I was an alien!)
But, you know what?! We got to the laundromat and my kids had a blast! They loved helping me with the laundry. They loved pushing each other all around in the carts. They loved dumping the soap in, adding money to the card, pushing the buttons. Most of all they loved the attendant, Elizabeth, who played with them the entire time. The kids were so happy to be at that grimy, dirty little basement laundromat. I couldn't help but smile. I felt so happy too. I was so glad that I had dragged them all out, in the rain, to do laundry. It was exactly what we needed today. Crazy, but true.
While I was wallowing in my egocentric pity-party this morning I remembered this TED Talk. And I was grateful that I have a washing machine (or at least access to washing machines). I am grateful my laundry is done in 2 hours with push of a button (and several quarters). Even if I do have to haul it two blocks. It's so much easier than washing it all by hand. How fortunate I am!
Last week this was our living room. I had washed two loads before I noticed the dryers weren't working. I was longing for a backyard, with a clothesline.
Today
Isabella told me she hopes the dryers don't get fixed for a few more weeks. I completely understand.
