A new kind of Happy

[Guest guest]

Growing up my folks kept their house really really clean. It was to the point

where it was uncomfortable as a child because we were not allowed toys in our

rooms, or in the main living areas of the house. We were only allowed to play in

the unfinished basement that had no carpets, no window, and just a few dim

lights. We could not even hang anything up on the walls or fridge because it

might look sloppy. It was not ideal for a childs play area, but the house always

looked nice. I still like clean spaces to this day, something that looks like a

magazine house.

Now I am a mother and I always allow my children to keep toys in their room, or

living room, or projects displayed in the kitchen. They can mess their room if

they want to and are only asked to clean up their own bedroom every so often.

Believe it or not I am still most comfortable when my house is clean and messes

drive me crazy but I try and understand that messes are part of life.

Yesterday before bed I cleaned up dinner dishes, and looked around the kitchen

seeing a big mess, clay and pipe cleaner that my son is using to make a Native

American project for school, dehydrator out because my husband is making beef

jerky, sports bags and school bags slewed across the floor. I decided not to

tackle any of the mess and to just let it be and I went to bed, even though I

hate the feeling of a mess.

Then I had a dream that my house was really clean the way that I like it. In my

dream I walked into a sparkling kitchen and at first glance I was satisfied with

the look and I called out loud in my dream " Who cleaned this mess up? " but

nobody replied and I realized I was alone and felt sad and lonely and empty. In

my dream I realized I don't mind the mess of a house as long as it means I have

love in my house and family and each other.

When I woke up I went to my kitchen and I saw sports bags, beef jerky, clay and

pipe cleaners and I felt happy.

LB