It’s
a question that has delivered countless answers. Poems and songs,
essays and novels. Declarations in front of family and friends,
whispers exchanged by a couple.
Love.
I’ve
attempted to explore it once or twice. (Or more.) But every so
often, a better example that you might not normally share as advice
becomes readily apparent. (And yes, good for you, I do happen
to have one example of my own.)
Have
you ever folded you mother-in-law’s laundry, including a few unmentionables?
Have you done it without hesitation or reservation? Just needed
to be done, you could do it, and so you did.
Love?
The
mother-in-law’s laundry. I stake my claim that folding her laundry
is love. Not that many songs or novels about the mother-in-law’s
laundry, but it stands as a true test of your feelings.
To
be honest, when recently presented with a few chores—and yup,
laundry was one of them—there wasn’t a hesitation involved. Picking
up groceries or prescriptions, taking someone to a doctor’s appointment,
cleaning the dogs’ ears, folding the mother-in-law’s laundry—for
me, it’s all part of a relationship. All part of a home that has
a strong partnership at its foundation. I do for her, and she
does for me.
Let’s
pause to consider two things:
First
– My relationship is going to be different than yours. It just
is. For a long and potentially endless list of reasons, it is
different. As a result, laundry may not be your thing, and that’s
actually fine with me as long as it’s fine with you (and your
partner). Maybe you do all the cooking or yardwork, or you have
some other understanding. No worries.
Second
– The things I would do for my partner are… well… limitless.
If she asked and it is at all within my powers to take it on,
consider it done. Consider me in. Not even a question. Whatever
it may be.
When
was the last time you needed a ride someplace? Like a medical
procedure where you were going to be medicated and couldn’t drive
when it was completed. Do you have someone that is, without question,
your ride? Don’t even need to ask. That person is your ride, and
you are likely theirs.
There
are plenty of collections that ponder the good and bad of love.
I’m not the first person to meander down into examples that highlight
sacrifices and actions that involve that things you might not
care to do. Won’t be the last. But facts are facts, and for every
rainbow or balloon created in the name of love, there is an equal
and opposite mud puddle. Are you willing to get a bit dirty for
love?
(Ok.
Yes. I knew as soon as I asked that where some of you were going
to run with it. I agree—dirty for love—it’s funny. That’s why
I didn’t edit it out. A sense of humor is a good thing. But the
mud puddle remains. Sometimes clean and happy, sometimes messy
and rough, hopefully always beautiful.)
I
admit, this has been a bit of a tangent. A random meandering of
thoughts. Still working out all the details. But I do have some
laundry to fold, it’s not just my underwear involved, and when
I finish, I’m going to happy I was able to do it.