Stay Humble

Having been the person that used to complain about doing laundry, I wish I hadn’t. Sitting on the floor of a laundromat because there is one bench, not to mention the change machine is non-existent and half of the machines are broken, I’d do anything to have a washing machine and dryer in my home again. This is far worse than ever throwing clothes in and turning them on in my kitchen while doing anything else I wanted to during that time period.

Like in a previous article, 939 Miles, I mentioned that I had moved a long way from home recently — which comes with perks and definitely things I’m missing. Today, we will talk about the laundromat and (not) lack of Friday The 13th “luck”. Quite a humbling experience.

So the clothes place of doom — let me help you envision this mansion. Every other washer is broken, one stole a few dollars thanks to the quarter slot, there is one bench, and not to mention my favorite part: there is no change machine. Before coming out, I had driven twenty miles into the nearest town to my bank to get change. Did you know during a change shortage, it would be hard to find quarters? Let that sink in.

Bank, car wash (for change), amongst a few other errands, it’s time to trek back 21 miles just to wash these clothes. A weeks worth since I had been working all week and it’s my first day off. At this point of driving back just to sit in the laundromat, I’ve already driven 60-something miles and haven’t gotten the pleasure of sitting in a dirty floor for two hours while these filth magnets wash and dry.

About the point of realization had struck when the clothes were done washing and I had to switch them to the dryer, it made me start thinking how many times I complained about walking twenty feet to wash my clothes. Twenty feet to turn them on and walk away to do what I please; no having to drive twenty miles to seek out change, go to the bank, and drive twenty miles back to my home. What a fool, I was. Complaining about something as stupid as this that I had the privilege of doing without a second thought.

This doesn’t just pertain to clothing. Being greatful is something that should come willingly and knowingly, but with the changing times, a lot is disappearing, being greatful may be one of them. Faster internet, fancy cellphones, opportunities for much steeper amounts of money by just taking a selfie. The other side is quite bleak, though; the side with someone going through a divorce and paying thousands of dollars just to live on the street after. The long work hours just to miss your children growing up, not being able to pay all of your bills, or even having to get a second job to spend every second you have at. Time is passing by much quicker now and that doesn’t necessarily pertain to everyone. Some people are just trying to get by with $0.12 in their accounts with no food left. Some have $12 million in their accounts and would rather cause issues and flaunt what they have. Times are changing.

The ultimate point of this post was to point out, not just my laundromat issues, but to remind everyone reading that things they have right now, somebody else may not have- even if it’s simple. I understand that it’s hard sometimes, as you’ve heard- I’ve been there. It really takes a doom laundry center to remind you where you came from, though. I don’t have what I once had, but that doesn’t mean I can complain about it or should because things just simply aren’t fair all the time.

Side note: To the nice woman whose washer is currently leaking all over- I am so sorry for your luck. Happy Friday The 13th, ma’am. Yikes.