Dishes In The Sink

Dirty Dishes

There is something about dirty dishes in the sink that I find so discouraging. Last night I washed up all the dishes before I went to bed – no dishwasher here but these hands. I was glad it was done, I had cleaned the stovetop and oven and the table was clear. This morning when I got up there were dishes in the sink. Not just my husband’s coffee cup, nope. There was a pan, two plates, a bowl, a smoothie cup and blades, a measuring cup, and assorted utensils. I was about to flip out when a memory suddenly washed over me – stopping me in my tracks.

Leave The Dishes

As a young mother, when I would visit my mom’s apartment she would always tell me to leave the dishes because then she’d know someone was there. She claimed it was a way to reminisce about our time that day after we had gone. Maybe she was saying that because she saw I was tired. Perhaps it was an effort to spend more time with me when I was there rather than watching me clean up. But, I believe she meant it. I can still picture her standing over the kitchen sink, looking out the window, and singing to herself while she washed dishes.

Anger To Gratitude

Immediately my anger vanished and was replaced with gratitude. I have people here that use dishes. My kids are here – all of them for the time being – and that is a blessing. They are now technically three adults. I’ll be moving my middle one into her first “real apartment” soon which she will be sharing with friends. This isn’t like the “I hate the dorms” sublets she’s had in the past. This is a real honest-to-goodness apartment that they found together. And while she will visit, of course, there will be scant opportunities for long summer and winter breaks at home. She is starting her adult life. My baby is off to college soon as well and this time next month won’t be here to leave any dishes behind. The oldest is saving for a place of his own and working so I don’t get to see him much anyway.

My pleasure!

I don’t know whose dishes they are, but I suspect they all contributed a piece here or there. But I’m not mad – I’m happy to know that they are here. It reminds me of God’s promise in Joel 2:25  ^“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,…”

After my car accident and even before when I was getting sick with Celiac but before I knew what was happening to me, I was not able to be there for my kids the way I wanted to be. Now that they are adults it had seemed I missed the chance to try to make up for lost time. But this summer has been wonderfully busy with being able to do things for my grown children. I feel as if it is the fulfillment of that promise. I can’t get back the time I lost due to the head injury, but I can still be there for them when they need me now – and it’s my pleasure.