I woke up early yesterday to work on sewing projects planned out long ago. Although hours later a stack of organic napkins came together, the cutting table remained full with other heaps of cut fabric yearning to be put together to become “something.” I sighed at the thought of more work. My eyes must have veered downward because I saw that my once neat clothes were covered in threads and fabric dust, as is normal after sewing. Annoyed, I thought, “Ugh.” One more thing to do.

Then a memory fluttered through and snapped me out of my woes. That timely memory was of a woman I respect as much as the tallest mountains. I remembered her saying, “Thank God for dirty dishes.” Lucy, a social worker, mentor, and unsurpassed story-teller followed that statement by affirming, “If you have dirty dishes it means you’ve eaten.” Boy, does that change the perspective on what is usually a meaningless chore. The mess on my clothes was more than another task to be tacked on my to-do list. It meant I spent time doing what I love. How lucky am I? Very. Thank God for dirty dishes, threads, fabric dust and Lucy.