Fresh Floors

Maybe I've said so, and maybe I haven't, but my floors have been driving me crazy. While I love having tile and wood throughout most of my house, both really show dirt and dust. This is true generally, but lately I've sloshed my coffee several times -- as I try to carry it from kitchen to living room wheeling my scooter one-handed -- leaving splotches that I couldn't do anything about. I'm not a neatnik by any stretch of the imagination, but I do keep my counters and floors clean. This afternoon as I look (and sniff) around, I'm feeling a calm I haven't felt in weeks. My young associate dropped by and did a few helpful tasks, including sweeping and mopping my floors. My house is filled with the scent of fresh lavendar, the coffee stains are gone, and the glow is nearly blinding.

As if the floor-cleaning and other tasks weren't enough, I had the pleasure of cheerful conversation. My young associate even took an interest in my crochet projects, revealing that he had crocheted a little himself as a boy. He even helped me with an embellishment that would have been difficult for me to do alone, braiding an insert for a blanket I just finished. All of this -- the help and the positive attitude -- have raised my spirits immensely. The first time my young friend saw me after my surgery a few weeks ago, he said that my situation was the stuff of his nightmares, not to be able to walk or drive. He has a strong sense of compassion and it means a lot to me that he not only wants to help with practical things, but also cares about my sanity, which some days when I'm doing nothing except propping up my foot seems to be slipping not-so-slowly away. Now, thanks to his kindness, I think it will hold out at least a few more days.