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Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

Earlier today I found myself sitting at a laundromat, waiting for a load of towels to finish washing. The machine at work has decided to go on strike, and we’ve had to adapt until a repair person can come look at it. I volunteered as tribute and proceeded to set up my temporary workstation down the road. I was able to attend my virtual meeting and work on some items that have had to go on the back burner.

Aside from the rhythmic sloshing in the background, it was quite peaceful. I won’t mind going back a few more times if it’s necessary. However, the whole process reminded me of a situation my friend had a few years ago.

Her family had just moved and the previous tenants took the washer and dryer with them. They ordered a new set, but since it was backordered, they had to use the local laundromat for a few weeks. She didn’t think it would be a big deal and tried to see it as an adventure.

It started out kind of enjoyable. She saw it as an opportunity to get away and maybe finish reading that book she started earlier in the year. But then the laundry started to pile up faster than she was prepared to wash it. She could no longer just toss a load in before bed or reset the dryer three times until she was ready to fold. She had to plan her day around going to the laundromat.

Then there was the problem with the baskets she had. They worked great for moving clothes into different rooms in her home, but they didn’t fit properly in her car without tipping over — little things that you don’t think about until you’re put in a situation like this, like making sure you have a ridiculous amount of quarters with you in case the coin machine is broken … again.

Her temporary situation was costing her over $50 a week. Plus, now she had to spend what little free time she had away from her family. She could no longer come home from work and start dinner and laundry. She tried to include her family, but it was almost more difficult finding a time that worked with everyone’s busy schedules.

Our conversation turned to how thankful she was that this situation was temporary. We lingered on how her monthly payments for her new washer and dryer were actually cheaper than a month of lugging laundry across town to the laundromat. Then the realization of how difficult it would be to purchase a washer and dryer for your home if you were living paycheck to paycheck. What little money you did have, had to be turned into quarters so you could have clean clothes. It seemed like an impossible cycle to get out of.

There are families in our town that have to choose between cleaning their clothes or buying groceries. I’ve been aware of this for awhile, but it really hit home today. I was a tourist at the laundromat. I was reminded that most of the people who enter that space, don’t see it as a vacation. I was reminded of just how blessed I am.

“Don’t just count your blessings. Be the blessing other people count on.” — Anonymous

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams. Her column appears every Saturday.