Carrying an overflowing laundry basket, I stomped to the laundry room. “I can’t believe how much laundry these people dirty in a week.” I punctuated each syllable with a “Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.” I bent to open the washing machine door and was met by the unpleasant mustiness that is laundry left too long before drying. “UGH.” It was 8:15 am and I was already behind. I wanted to start working by 9:00.
“Didn’t I tell you guys to switch the laundry from washer to dryer last night?” I yelled to (maybe at) my older sons. They kept quiet. They knew the truth: I wasn’t asking to get an answer. I was asking to get a confession. After which, there would be no plea-bargaining, only sentencing. I was Mom, prosecutor, judge and jury. The verdict was already in: my family is guilty. Of what? Not helping. (At least not helping enough.) The first to admit guilt would be the first to be judged. I didn’t blame them for silently pleading the fifth amendment.
I refilled the laundry detergent dispenser and added a few splashing tears along with more fabric softener. I closed the drawer and tried to remember how many times I’d already run it through. ” 3, 4? Maybe ?” I wondered. Honestly? I had no idea. I felt frustrated – but I wasn’t impressed. (My personal best for rewashing a laundry load is set at 6. it was an entire week of washing the same load of laundry before actually getting it clean, dried and put away. I was busy!)
I stomped downstairs to the kitchen and found the sink full of dishes. “Where did these come from? I just did the dishes!” I’m not sure who I was asking, or why… I already knew the answer: They came from everywhere and nowhere. I opened the already running dishwasher and blindly stuffed them in. I didn’t even care if they got clean, I just didn’t want to see them in the sink.
It was now, 9:00 am and I was already angry, frustrated and overwhelmed. With no one admitting guilt, I turned my inner judge and jury loose on my self.
“I can’t do it all.” I whispered in admission to myself.
My verdict? (more…)