Rejoice in the Mundane

With a bag of trash in one hand and a box in the other, I made my way down the stairs and around the side of the house. Depositing the trash into the large bin, I returned to the house and went down to the laundry room. After emptying the contents of the dryer into a laundry basket, I carried it upstairs into our bedroom, where I proceeded to fold. Then, it was on to dusting and vacuuming. And I did all this while NOT wearing my sensible shoes. While I did have to sit a rest a few times, I quickly bounced back.

It was like days of old and I felt a decade younger. What a glorious day!

Sounds like a perfectly dull list of chores, the same chores which go on in households all over the world every day, but I didn't find it dull. In fact, I was on cloud nine, elated to find myself moving with such speed and endurance. I am in one of those brief periods representing the remitting portion of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis, and loving every minute of it, despite the intrusion of vertigo throughout the day and night.
Normally, I pull the bag out of the trash can, tie it up, and leave it for my husband, Jake, to bring outside. Many times I also leave the laundry basket at the top of the stairs, or at the bottom, for Jake to carry for me when he happens by.

It's not that I ever LOVED doing housework, but I always knew that I COULD, whenever I got around to it. The past few years have changed all that. Just because chores need doing, it doesn't mean that I am able to do them. So, on these rare occasions when I can tackle them with relative ease, the most routine task of taking out the garbage becomes an event to celebrate.

Those things which I once thought of as annoyances are now a welcome relief from dependence, however temporary. MS has helped me to appreciate the simple things in life.

Before my time runs out again, I will walk around the block, dance to the music while preparing dinner, and wear my best shoes. I will be reminded once again of my good fortune, as I think of those who have no vacation from their disability.

It is time to rejoice in the mundane!