This weekend I ironed.
Ironing is not a normal household chore for me, nor is it one I particularly enjoy.
But this weekend, it brought me joy - kinda weird!
I had stayed at my parentsā house with some friends, and as part of my clean up, I was doing things the way my mom does them. I was ironing the sheets.
For close to two decades, Iāve rolled my eyes at this (my mom is not surprised!). While I will never complain about crawling into a bed with crisp sheets, itās not something I prioritize in my home. But itās what my mom does. It is her way, and this past weekend, at her home, it felt right to do things her way.
Using my dadās handkerchiefs as primers, my mom taught me to iron when I was about seven years old. I remember feeling so important as I stood on my stool handling the heavy iron. I loved it - the responsibility, the trust, my contribution to taming wrinkles.
But somewhere after the age of ten, I gave it up. Instead, I either opted for clothes that didnāt require ironing, or I pretended that the wrinkles would go away if I wore the clothes long enough.
Maybe itās a sign of age, perspective, letting go (or leaning in?)ā¦ but last Sunday, I popped in some headphones, listened to a podcast and conjured lessons from the past to press the pillowcases and crease the folds. Removing the wrinkles felt therapeutic - perhaps a metaphor for lifeā¦
There I was standing at the ironing board, smiling. The historically familiar feel of pressing the fabric resurrected a warmth from my youth.
A couple of years ago, a close friend chose the word ājoyā as her word for the year, and every Thursday we would take a sunrise walk together talking about the things that had brought us joy that week. If such a walk were in store this Thursday, āironingā would be my contribution. I can picture her - eyebrow raised prompting me to say more. Of course it wasnāt just ironing but the fact that this uncommon-for-me chore opened a door to so much more. It took me back to my childhood, made me feel close to my mom, and gave me the satisfaction of leaving things the way I had found them.
In the midst of a chaotic and uncertain world, I think it helps to seek out joy - even in places, tasks and situations that might seem a bit weird.
I don't iron sheets but have ironed cloth napkins and tablecloths at my wife's urging. I regularly iron shirts and trousers and there's something very satisfying about the finished product.
Kristi! I love getting your email in my inbox every Friday and always find joy in your reflections and writing. I believe I know your Thursday sunrise walking partner too!