Miriam's Knees | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Miriam's Knees | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mary Dreisbach
09/17/09
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Miriam walked into the kitchen, a bottle of Mr. Clean in hand, the blue kind because it's smell permeates the house longer than any other. Turning on the water in the kitchen sink to hot, hot ,hot, she slipped into her brand new pair of bright yellow rubber gloves. With steam rising from her bucket, she carefully lifted it out of the sink and onto the floor. Noticing with every bend and twist that a new ache or pain seemed to have taken up residence in her body. She had been washing this same kitchen floor every week for the past 30 years. On her hands and knees she would glide the cloth over the floor clearing away the dirt as if erasing chalk from a blackboard, making it ready for the next weeks story to be told. Years ago, when this family's children were small, their little girl asked Miriam why she bothered washing the floor each week. Miriam looked the child in the eyes from her kneeling position and said "I wipe up the old dirt so there'll be room for the new!" Recently, that little girl, now a grown woman, recalled that time in the kitchen and told Miriam that her own daughter had just asked that very same question. She wanted to make sure to thank Miriam for her years of hard work. Being a mother and wife herself now, she had gained a new appreciation for Miriam's efforts in keeping her family's home clean.

Today as Miriam worked on her hands and knees, scrubbing the floor, the thoughts playing in her mind were different. She felt a tugging at her heart.

Every week for 30 years she had been coming to this home, caring for it's family and enjoying every minute of it, but today, her 89 yr old body was tired and thoughts of retiring which had crossed her mind before, were now no longer crossing, but as each thought came, it stayed. The time had finally come and Miriam knew she had to tell the family it was time she retired.

It was kind of a bitter sweet moment when she approached the woman, who started out as her boss but who over the years had become her friend. Miriam felt part of her family. She had watched the children grow up. She had been invited to their weddings. She had been there the day the woman's first grandchild was born and they celebrated together with a cup of tea. There were so many life events that had happened over the years and Miriam had always felt honored to be part of them.

Miriam expressed her gratitude to the woman as she gave her two weeks notice. I never thought of myself retiring she said, but my knees are giving out and my back is aching. The vacuum feels like its gained about 20 pounds and my fingers have become too arthritic to press the button on the Pledge can. I think it's time I hang up my bucket and my cleaning cloths. The two women embraced. With a heart full of thanks the woman wished Miriam well and sent her off with the assurance they would keep in touch.

As Miriam drove home that day, she felt the tides of change wash over her. What would she do every Tuesday now that she didn't work? At 89, life had owed her nothing. It had been full. Alone in her home that evening, she decided to kneel down once more, not to scrub the floor; but to say a prayer of thanks to her Creator. "Thank You Dear Heavenly Father" she prayed, "For the years I was able to work. For blessing me with strength and health and please be with me as I learn to be content in this next season of my life. Please continue to use me until the day you call me home. Amen."

Laying her head on her pillow that night, Miriam wondered where God would lead her now? Contented with her decision, wonderful memories floated through her head. Retirement she thought is just a time of rest before our new assignment will be given. With a smile on her lips she faded off to sleep.

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