Housekeeper
Sunday January 25th 2009, 3:53 pm
Filed under: Crohn's flare,Life

I was thinking about taking a shower this morning when the housekeeper came in to collect trash, scrub the sink etc and mop the floor. I watched her quietly, and as she mopped near the bed I told her thank you.  I added a moment later that I would love to be able mop floors again soon too, and she was making it safer for me so I could get healthier.

She mopped extra and with great care and a smile after that.  Her work is as important in its way as everybody else’s here, and I knew it must be meaningful to her for that. Having someone acknowledge that out loud and thank her–it was what I could offer her.

When we acknowledge the importance of what someone does for us, however mundane a thing it may be, we acknowledge the inherent service and kindness behind it.  I say this with a sense of wonder at the love I felt bloom in the room. I was not helpless no matter my condition, nor being helped; service is far greater than that.  Rather, we were equals on every level before God in that moment.


45 Comments so far
Leave a comment

This is exactly what I expected from you.

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 01.25.09 @ 4:00 pm

You are a good soul Alison. Hope you got your shower. Package coming! :o)

Love & Hugs & Prayers,
Gretchen

Comment by Gretchen 01.25.09 @ 4:16 pm

it is so good to read you — it sounds like they are pumping you up with the nutrients and fluids you need at least

I always try to thank people for what they do too – itis all important — and sometimes I figure it may be the only positive thing people hear in a day (I know I have had days like that- havent we all? )

Comment by rho 01.25.09 @ 4:23 pm

Amen.

Comment by Linda W 01.25.09 @ 4:31 pm

Thank you! you do so much for us all. we all learn from you. We could all do with remembering to acknowledge and thank others. Thank you for all that you do for us just by being yourself!

Comment by Vicki 01.25.09 @ 4:34 pm

You amaze me. You always do. Get better, already, okay?

Comment by Kristine 01.25.09 @ 5:22 pm

Glad to hear you are home again. And, you have a team at Stanford working for your benefit. And, of course, all of your friends who are praying for your return to fabulous health! Sooooooon! Love, Nancy

Comment by Nancy 01.25.09 @ 5:34 pm

This is why I – we! – love you so much.

Thank you for telling us about that moment.

Comment by karin 01.25.09 @ 5:39 pm

I need you to be here to make me think.
Thank you!

Comment by sonya 01.25.09 @ 5:58 pm

You are an amazing person. Soon to be healthy and amazing!
hugs!!

Comment by marcy 01.25.09 @ 5:58 pm

I think people forget in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that it’s the peopl ewho just do their jobs quietly that areresponsible for keeping the world going around. The garbage collector is just as important as the doctor in keeping our world healthy.

Comment by Carol 01.25.09 @ 6:24 pm

Beautiful thoughts. Hope you’re feeling stronger every day. I’m sure your kindness made her feel very special.

Comment by Debbie 01.25.09 @ 6:44 pm

I am blessed to have found your blog. Yours is a wondrous spirit, indeed.

Comment by Sue J. 01.25.09 @ 7:06 pm

I always say ‘thank you’ to people who do things for me that others might not acknowledge.
I’m happy to see you blogging.

Hang in there!

Comment by Mari 01.25.09 @ 7:11 pm

IF you get a chance, read the Mercury News article about the woman who was taken to Stanford after she stabbed herself in the heart with a knitting needle. She wouldn’t let the ER doctor pull it out, which was a good thing and went to surgery. Interesting.

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 01.25.09 @ 7:25 pm

Isn’t it wonderful to still be able to make a difference for good in the lives of others? So glad you’re able to keep that spirit!

Comment by Ruth 01.25.09 @ 7:34 pm

Nancy, I am far from going home from the hospital, just to set that straight. It’s a nice thought, though.

Comment by AlisonH 01.25.09 @ 7:57 pm

Y’know, that’s the first time I’ve heard you sound completely like yourself for weeks. Lovely. I assume you’re still feeling crappy, but still…

Still sending bossy (but appreciative) vibes to your team as motivation to make you better. You and your family get vibes with hugs.

Comment by Lene 01.25.09 @ 8:19 pm

Alison, you are always an inspiration! Continued healing thoughts and prayers coming from the Great Lake State. (((hugs)))
It is great to “see” your “voice” 🙂

Comment by karen w 01.25.09 @ 8:21 pm

When I’ve been hospitalized, I’ve felt much the same way about the people who work there, especially since it is not what I could do or am called to. I admire the nurses, but those who do the housekeeping are equally admirable. Where would we be without people like them?

I’ve got you on the prayer list at our church and 12 to 15 Episcopalians are sending up prayers for your health and recovery every week. We may be small, but we have great faith. Be of good courage!

Comment by JanTink 01.25.09 @ 8:32 pm

There is so much beauty in you. You’re an amazing person.

Comment by ruth 01.25.09 @ 9:19 pm

Thank you, Alison. I read this and then acknowledged what my brother has done for me in a way I would not have otherwise. I’m up in the high altitudes, climbing zillions of steps and getting quite breathless. He’s watching out for me.

Comment by RobinM 01.25.09 @ 10:26 pm

Thank you for continuing to teach us, remind us, and inspire us, no matter what state or circumstance you are in. Get healthy again, my friend.

~Bonnie

Comment by Bonnie 01.25.09 @ 10:28 pm

You really are an amazing person, Alison. I hope you recover soon from this latest challenge.

Comment by Jocelyn 01.25.09 @ 10:54 pm

How very like you, dear Alison! No matter what, you show kindness and appreciation. You treated that woman as an individual, not just an entity the way most people probably do without even thinking about it. Thank you for being here to remind us to be better people. 🙂

Comment by AmyS 01.25.09 @ 11:13 pm

You’re an extraordinary, appreciative spirit! It will be nice to see your brooms and sweeping photos again really soon. Okay, plans for the Housekeeper lace scarf?

Comment by LynnM 01.25.09 @ 11:55 pm

[Trying to wrap my mind around the concept of being thankful that I am able to do the housework which takes me away from my knitting, but which enables me to *find* my knitting.]

I substitute-taught in Relief Society yesterday; the lesson was on finding joy in the moment, and one of the points that we discussed was how small acts of service, like yours, like hers, bless both the giver and the receiver. And, really, society in general, even if they are unaware of it. *This* is how we are meant to live.

Spoke with your wonderful SIL & her hubby at church yesterday, between meetings. How comforting to know that we are united in prayer on your behalf, and to read in the comments here on your blog that many people of all faiths and beliefs are also uniting their hopes and prayers for your welfare.

Not only are we stirring up the powers of Heaven on your behalf, but we are purifying our individual lives as we pray, and we are weakening the power of the Destroyer over our own families and communities. Prayer changes things; it also changes us.

Much love coming your way from TX.

Comment by Lynn 01.26.09 @ 4:29 am

You are such an inspiration regarding humanity. Often, when I feel like whining about something and I think of you and how grateful you are for the little things in life, well, it sheds a whole new perspective on things.
Hugs……….get better soon!

Comment by Joansie 01.26.09 @ 5:54 am

Ah, Alison, I love your wisdom. How like you to realize that everyone is important, and to see all contributions as so valuable to the whole. Thank you for reminding me of that today.

Still praying…
Pegi

Comment by Pegi 01.26.09 @ 6:53 am

What an inspiration you are to me! Glad you’re feeling well enough to post.

Comment by Eileen 01.26.09 @ 7:00 am

Ah, that the Lord is no respecter of persons and we are equal before Him..a great lesson. 🙂 Thank you for reminding us. Feel better.

Comment by Toni Smoky-Mountains 01.26.09 @ 7:16 am

Alison, you are so very Beautiful.
XOXOX and love

Comment by marianne 01.26.09 @ 7:32 am

Bless you. Not only do you truly value the little things, you make a point to say so. The people around you – even just passing through – are better for knowing you.

Comment by Channon 01.26.09 @ 7:56 am

You have been in my prayers and it’s good to see that you are feeling a little better. A great deal of wisdom in your words, as always. 🙂 We all have things to do that depend on what others have to do as well, intermingled like building blocks. Do what your doctors and family tell you to do and get better soon!!!

Comment by LDSVenus 01.26.09 @ 8:51 am

I cherish knowing you…

Comment by Betsy 01.26.09 @ 9:29 am

Amen!

Comment by Cindi 01.26.09 @ 10:47 am

{{{{{{{{{{Alison}}}}}}}}}

Comment by Romi 01.26.09 @ 11:30 am

Your grace in the face of everything inspires me. I am sending you my very best wishes.

Comment by Jessica 01.26.09 @ 12:00 pm

So glad that you’re home again…and feeling up to writing a bit. Enjoy the sunshine today. Sending love.

Comment by Marguerite 01.26.09 @ 12:51 pm

Good Heavens, girl! It just occurred to me to check your website, and moths are definitely not for you. I pray for your full recovery, and soon.

Comment by Don Meyer 01.26.09 @ 1:21 pm

It’s so good to hear your voice, dear. I am praying for you, every day. Mwah!

Comment by terri 01.26.09 @ 1:58 pm

I wish you only the best, you deserve so many blessings. Thank you for all the good that you’ve done.

Comment by Susan 01.26.09 @ 2:54 pm

Your observations are so beautifully stated.

Comment by jackie 01.26.09 @ 7:41 pm

My prayers are with you..

Comment by KnittySue 01.27.09 @ 7:35 am

Thanks for sharing the story. You always write your experiences so well that I get tingles. ::hugs::
I always try to do the same. As a friend of mine put it when she was having a hard time, “You never know what someone is going through”, and “they’ll never forget a heartfelt thank you”

Comment by Alicia 01.29.09 @ 11:24 am



Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

(required)

(required)