When I was growing up, we lived in a large house in Massachusetts. I remember getting myself up in the morning to get ready for school. I would get one of my skirts and tops and set up the ironing board. We had this charming side porch on the second floor. It was all enclosed and had lots of windows.
I could look out and see the boats going by and enjoy the bright morning sunshine. I would start ironing my clothes. I thought about my plans for the day while I worked. In front of me, would be the single french door that led into our living room. Beyond that was our old piano and a china cabinet. We had simple, cozy furniture and a large throw rug over a linoleum floor.
I would think about cleaning the house while I ironed. The more I worked around the house, alone with my happy thoughts, the more I wanted to clean and make things look nice.
I took home economics classes in school. I loved to cook and bake and sew and clean. Some days I would call my mother from a payphone at school and make her a deal. I would say, "If you let me leave school early, I will come home and clean." She always agreed. It wasn't that she needed me to clean. The house was already clean. She also loved to clean too. But she knew that I needed a mental break from my troubles. I needed to go home and work on the home arts to survive! I always felt better after washing the floors, or folding laundry in the comfort of that lovely childhood home.
This must be why I love housework, even to this very day. I have tried to teach it to my children. I will not know the results of my efforts until they have homes of their own. But I hope I have passed on a love of home and a love of keeping things pleasant and neat.
Blessings
Mrs. White
Lovely Memories - Creating a 1950's-like childhood.
On those difficult days - Cooking while Holding a Bible.
A Vision - The Comfort of Home.
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5 comments:
Hello Mrs. White.
Your youth sounds lovely!
I could see you ironing on the second story porch.
Pleasant memories to embrace and reflect on.
d
Mrs. White,
You always inspire me to want to clean :) Or at least make my home beautiful. I am looking forward to purchasing our house once we move and making it all homey!
Blessings,
Sarah L.
Just reading this inspires me. Maybe someday I will love to clean too. In the meantime, reading your blog is a good boost. :)
Thanks!
A very wise older woman, who is now with the Lord, told me that our habits and methods, even some that seem small and insignificant, become especially precious to our children after we are gone. I've found this to be true in my own case...perhaps it will be true in yours as well. Although I think we can hope to see our adult children do that before then!
I think it's good to give our children the opportunity to really make their own convictions, even though that can be a scary time for mom and dad. Although we want to see them safely following the good paths (it would give our hearts rest) there are no short cuts. Life is a long road and hard for the best of us, and they'll need to be strong and sure and firm in their hearts.
I've recently had cause to do a lot of counseling and talking and reminding of our precious adult daughter, who has had all the best training and input we could give her and she's making her own way. An older Christian gentleman told me, "It's time for more praying and less talking."
You make me want to clean. Wow! Great post! Blessings!
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