I love this 30 days of thanks. I’ve seen many Facebook funnies that have said that it’s the time where everyone else that has been complaining all year takes a break and gives 30 days of thanks. Well, even if that is the case, I am still enjoying reading why people around the world are grateful. Why they are thankful. Why they are blessed.
It’s a whole bunch of warm fuzzies going around, and I am appreciating each post read.
And so, today, I would like to share two things I am especially grateful for: our washer and dryer.
Where are they located?
On our outside porch!
Now, you see, when I was teaching in the States before we ever moved to Poland, I remember the counselor talking about the “poor” kids that came from other countries that lived in small apartments and had their washers and dryers (gasp!) on their porches outside.
I had just come from a honeymoon in Mexico, and while we were there we traveled to some pretty remote areas. We talked with many locals. And we saw many things. Things such as kids walking a mile to go to school two days a week. Things such as children going down to the local creek to scrub their clothes with a bucket. Things such as kids having to use outside toilets with no water—therefore they had to go and scoop water into a bucket to pour into the toilet so it would flush.
These were just a few of the things we saw or experienced, and I thought, “Man! I am pretty sure these people that we had just visited would really appreciate a washer and dryer—even if it had to be located on their porch!”
And then we moved to Poland. Half of the time in our first flat, we wouldn’t have electricity. Our washer wouldn’t work, and we would be scrubbing our clothes by hand. And, let me tell you, jeans and sweaters being washed by hand and then DRIED in a cold environment was no piece of cake.
So, when we moved back to Arizona for this year and we were forewarned, “Oh, by the way, your washer and dryer are outside,” I didn’t think twice about it. I was so thankful that we would have them (on loan, of course, from some GREAT peeps!).
And, truthfully, the Arizona weather is so gloriously beautiful, that doing your laundry on the porch is actually pleasant.
But then it made me think, “What would my former coworker think of my situation? Small home, washer and dryer on porch, coming from a foreign country?”
And I giggle. Truly. Sometimes people lack perspective.
Roof over the head? Check.
Health? Check.
Clothes? Check.
Education for my daughter? Check.
Food in our bellies? Check!
Love? Abundantly! Check. Check. Check!
So, this November, I am grateful for many things—including our awesome washer and dryer on our porch in beautiful Arizona!
And sunshine, and our chickens that cluck, and my baby boy that is always sick and smiles readily anyway, and my daughter that came to a foreign land (America) and yet has made great friends, for family close by, a husband that serves, and a baby in my belly that has made it past the most dangerous stages of pregnancy.
Yep. I think as long as we keep it all in perspective, a washer and dryer on the porch are luxuries. And, for these, we are truly thankful!
And 2 Makes Crazy 