This is where I found "that sock" today! Hiding under the chair in the living room....How did it get there? Who knows, but as I bent down to pick it up, I realized that this sock is more than just a sock...it is a symbol of so much more.
Now I know you are wondering, how can a sock be so much more than an annoyance? So much more than just a sock...but think about it...why would these socks be laying around? Just to annoy me? See, during my days, I am driven crazy by the laundry. It is always there, it is never gone. But if it was gone, what would that mean? It would mean that my baby's are grown up, moved out, and someone else is doing their laundry. That my job as the "laundry maid" is done. Now, I know I will always have my socks and Larry's socks, but those socks are never left behind. It is always the boys socks.
I am not a fan of laundry. I hate the cold basement, the cold floor, and the boring task of it all. A couple of years ago, Larry bought me a brand new beautiful front loader washer and dryer. Oh, I was so excited! They brought my beautiful new washer and dryer in, hooked her up, and were standing proud for me to use. They were so nice and clean...so updated and so sparkly (Yes, I said sparkly!!!). I immediately ran upstairs and grabbed all the laundry I could find. Ripped the bedding off of every bed, and collected all the towels available. How I could not wait to use these massive, new creatures. I started the first load and stood there in amazement. I could hardly hear it running. The drum began to rotate, and I literally was in love.
The love affair with my new washer and dryer lasted a few weeks. I loved to hear the little tune they both played when the cycles were finished. I would instantly run downstairs to collect the clean clothes. They smelled so fresh and clean. I even loved it so much, I did not hang any clothes out on the line...but like everything else, the novelty wore off.
Slowly, the loads would pile up and the dread of the trek downstairs was back. Soon after this, is when I noticed the "one sock" that never made it the basement. I literally would be coming back from taking all of the dirty clothes to the basement, and I would notice the sock staring at me in a corner somewhere. Did I drop it? Did one of the boys put it there? How on earth? I ran to pick it up and brought it downstairs to its partner in crime. The next time I brought a load down, the same thing...in a corner, laid a dirty sock...taunting me!
This has been going on for months...If not years. The other day it hit me like a load of bricks...These socks are left around as a reminder that my blessings are near. These socks are not "taunting" me. They are reminding me what is important in my life. What would happen if I came upstairs and found no socks? How would I feel? I think at first, I would be relieved...but then it would sink in. Who am I doing laundry for? Where is the sock that got away? I could see myself looking in their usual hiding places, and I could see myself being devastated...no sock...no extra loads, and no sock to find its match with.
As I step back and think about it, who really cares that one sock fell from the basket, got thrown in a corner, or did not get picked up? Who minds taking the laundry downstairs and switching it over? If it means that I am still taking care of my blessings, then I am OK with that. It means my children are safe, home, and still relying on me. Some things just takes a little different perspective to really see what something symbolizes. A sock is just a sock to many, but to me...it is so much more...So, keep falling out of the basket and landing in crazy places. I truly look forward to finding your next hiding spot...and really, who could not use an extra trek up and down the basement stairs? I know I sure could!
Counting my socks as blessings,
Shelby
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