Random Thoughts: Make the Bed

Last summer a pipe in our house came loose. Picture a hurricane indoors. It’s back to normal now, and we’re getting used to having everything that belongs in a kitchen in the kitchen.

If you’ve been through a renovation, voluntarily or not, you know what a house looks like at each stage. For example, my bedroom contained the usual furniture plus many other things, including a toilet.

Since the house looked like visitors from another planet decided what went where, and it was impossible to really control what happened when, I made a point to pay attention to tiny things – like making the bed. Seeing a neatly made bed in the middle of the mess made me laugh, and it made me feel a little better.

It’s one of the million things our mother Carolyn taught us: control what you can, try not to fuss over what you can’t. Making your bed was right up there along with brushing your teeth. At first it was a chore, then it became a habit, and now it’s a form of self-care. It’s a small thing for sure, but especially during times of stress it helps me to see that island of normalcy. So, welcome to my inner dialogue…

Anxious about a loved one’s health – make the bed.

It will just get messy again tonight- make the bed.

On a tight deadline – make the bed.

The world is a scary and often cruel place – make the bed.

The cats are dozing in the rumpled sheets – rules are made to be broken.

XO Brenda