mind the sheets
Hello, my friends! It feels good to be writing to you again...even though we haven't talked in two weeks! This past weekend was spent in the company of some wonderful folks, partaking in the time-honored tradition of road-trippin'. We headed north, and spent a fun few days visiting, enjoying friends we hadn't seen in too long, and taking in the thrills at Cedar Point! For those who are unfamiliar, it's basically the most bomb-diggity amusement park for roller coaster lovers. I myself not being *quite* so much of a lover, it only took me one quick ride to remember that coasters actually give me the cold sweats. That, and an unshakable urge to update my living will. So, I left the daredevil drops to the professionals, and enjoyed the Ferris Wheel instead...and also, all the Dippin' Dots. Because those are my kinda thrills, yo.
While away, we got a chance to stay at an amazing Airbnb! Aptly named "The Twisted Seagull," this updated farmhouse boasted cozy surroundings, thoughtful personal touches, and a beautiful view of Lake Eerie just a few hundred feet away. Our hosts went the extra mile to make us feel so comfortable and at home; I can't recommend them highly enough! If you ever find yourself in Huron, Ohio, and need a relaxing spot to rest your head, look them up!
It was our time spent away that inspired me to share what's on my heart for this week's blog post; minding the sheets. What about my sheets? you may be asking. Did you sneak in? Did you see them? I promise, I was planning to wash them this week. I'm just busy, okay? Gosh. Get off my back." Fear not, my friend. This is a judgement-free zone, and I'm sure your sheets are just lovely. Let me explain what I mean!
After a wonderful weekend spent in our cozy home-away-from-home, Sunday morning came and it was time to pack up. As I gathered my things and tidied up the room, my eyes fell to the bed. The comforter was half-tucked, half-untucked at the bottom of the mattress, the blankets were twisted and turned from a glorious night of deep sleep, and the sheets were a wrinkled mess. Hmmm, this is no way to leave things. I thought to myself. I realized that someone would be there in a few hours to strip the bed and remake it afresh for the next guest anyway, so part of me wondered if I should even bother with it at all. But the other part of me -- that part given by my hostess-with-the-mostest of a mother, coupled with my southern roots -- wouldn't allow me to leave the room a mess. The last thing I wanted was for the hosts to come in after us and think we had been raised in a barn! After all, you're supposed to leave other people's things better than when you found them, right? Right. So, I set to making the bed. By this time, everyone else in the house was already awake and downstairs. With the sounds of laughter and the smells of coffee floating up the staircase, I found myself in a bit of a hurry to get the tidying up finished so I could enjoy the last few hours of our vacation.
I wrangled the pillows, fluffing them before placing them neatly at the head of the bed. I took care to make sure the throw-blanket was folded nicely and draped so that it was pleasing to the eye. And then I turned my attention to the sheets. But, instead of doing what I should have and neatly pulling the sheets up first, tucking them in, smoothing them out, and then following it with the comforter...I took a shortcut. I thought to myself, no one is actually going to see these sheets. They're totally hidden under these heaping blankets. So I haphazardly grabbed all the layers together in two fists and quickly tugged them up to the top of the bed. I pulled them taught enough to cure the wrinkles, smoothed the top layer, and felt satisfied with my efforts. There. That looks better. Now whoever walks into this room behind me will know that I took care to make things look nice around here. That was my logic, and it sat well with me for about a minute and a half...until I realized that what I had done, while not such a huge deal while making a bed, was actually a huge deal when used as an attitude for life.
You see, I should have realized that even though no one could see the crumpled and neglected sheets underneath, that didn't mean I should have left them that way. Don't we do that a lot in our own personal lives, though? I know I do. Sometimes, it's a more public struggle. Trying my best in a busy, demanding world to just keep my head above water some days, it can be tempting to put on a smile, keep up appearances, and smooth the covers over the very wrinkly, unkempt, uncomfortable emotions lying underneath. Other times, it's a private struggle. Convincing myself to do what's right and go the extra mile at work, instead of only doing what I absolutely must to make sure I come across as a competent nurse. Or giving my marriage 110% instead of just doing the bare minimum to make myself feel like a caring wife.
If you're anything like me, there may be areas of your life in which you're tempted to sacrifice or neglect what's important because you know no one can see; it won't be noticed. It's a shortcut you can take that will create a little extra wiggle-room in your life -- a little extra ease, a little extra pleasure, a little extra recognition or acceptance. It may mean not having to explain, not having to dig deep, not having to touch on those things in your mind and your heart that are hurting. But making the bed that day reminded me that neat sheets are just as important as a neat comforter. And it also reminded me that taking care of those invisible parts of your life is just as important as taking care of the parts that are on display for the world to see. It was a poignant visual reminder that lives and hearts are much like glaciers -- you can only see about 10% above the surface, and it's the bulk of the matter that lies just out of sight. But it's also that bulk, that other 90%, that stands the greatest risk of sinking you if you don't heed it.
So, my friends, let’s aim to respect ourselves and walk with integrity in those areas of our lives that no one else sees. I by no means have an excellent handle on this myself, but it’s a battle that’s waged one day, one small step, one decision at a time. And it’s a tough discipline, for sure, but one that will reap huge rewards for us if we can be diligent in it! I'm sure you'll feel relieved to know that I remade that bed after all was said and done. And even though no one else may have ever noticed a difference, it made all the difference in the world to me.
Until next time,
Mrs. P
