Closing the Household Business

Standing there at the sink, rinsing the last of the dishes removing all the excess remnants of dinner before loading the dishwasher, I began to feel as though I was closing a business down. The house was quiet, still, and softly illuminated. The pillows that found their way on to the floor during the day were placed back in their usual residence in the corners of the sofa. The counter tops were wiped and the table cleared with chairs tucked in two by two facing each other. The kitchen was closed. The doors were locked. No more customers this evening. Our shifts are coming to an end.

I remember this feeling when I was a teenager slinging chicken wings for minimum wage trying to make some extra cash to buy whatever frivolous things teenagers buy. A feeling of serenity. Relaxation washes over you and take a long breath knowing that you are released from the throws of work. Closing time. You look around and all the cleaning is done. The equipment is shut down, register accounted, and it’s time to launch into the next activity. Such a rewarding feeling. Another day in the books and the process is getting more and more dialed so opening up shop and closing shop is easier each time.

There is no monetary gain here though. The gain in the household is one of relationship. A bonding occurs that makes you feel more cohesive and alive with the glory of love (thank you Max Bemis). Your hard work throughout the day builds something that bears fruit slowly over time and is sometimes unrecognizable moment to moment. It reveals itself at the end of each day, week, month, and year, maturing, ripening within you and with out. A subtle molding of your soul as you toil throughout the day focusing your attention on those who need it the most. Sometimes this person is yourself and other times it’s the people around who you need you and want to be seen by you. As you help these tiny humans grow, simultaneously, you are growing, cultivating the best characteristics in yourself through giving your patience, attention, focus, and awareness to them. To the Other(s). It feels good to show up for work each day knowing that you are making a difference.

Thank you,

The Relative Merchant