Dishwater Memories
From as far back as I can remember, my grandmother would fill her kitchen sink with hot, soapy water each morning to use for her daily dishes. This would be the only sinkful of sudsy dishwater she would use from morning to evening.
Frugal? Yes, definitely. I would also add that my grandparents both were very practical people, and came from humble beginnings. Using one sink of water for the entire day is just an example of her saving where she could.
Today, as I was in the middle of soaking dirty dishes in my own sink with hot, soapy water, and littles underfoot, I looked out my kitchen window at all the beautiful snow. The image of grandma standing at her sink watching us sledding down the hillside made me smile. She had Nestle Quick ready for us when we would come in to get warm by the fire. We liked putting our wet mittens on the stove to watch them sizzle.
I’ve been a homemaker for over 27 years now. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything else this world has to offer. Sometimes life at home becomes habitual, but never boring. Grandma was a happy wife and mother, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to experience the person she was.
I find little glimpses of her in my life, being a light of some sort. I hear her words when I find myself in the laundry room folding mounds of clean clothes. I see her in my frugalness and making life decisions based on the influence she had on me. I see her smile when I am frying something in the skillet. Most everything I do at home, I am reminded of her in some way.
And even though I may not have a sinkful of suds sitting all day, I do soak my dishes until I can get to them. I might add that I do not love to do dishes, but when I go to do them, not one day goes by that I don’t think of how she smiled at serving those she loved.
Her joy went a long way. Most that knew her would say the same thing. The best part of memories is we each can take the good and apply what works in our own family, building upon what we know to be true, lovely, and of good report.
I’m thankful for another day to watch the snow fall, to hear my children building Lego creations at the table, and all of the important things that God graciously reminds me of.
I love and miss you grandma. Thank you for teaching me to smile.
Natalie