Sunday, August 10, 2014

One of My Guilty Pleasures



For some folks, this is something so simple that we all take it for granted and they would consider me foolish for considering it one of my guilty pleasures. It is a simple hot-and-cold running water shower in my own bathroom in my own home.

Even though my home is a very old mobile home, it is still mine. I do not have to worry about what time I am running the shower. Once, when three of us shared a basement apartment, back in the 70s, we had to be careful when we took showers or baths. The landlady lived above us. She’d comment the next day if she heard the water running for that reason late at night.

It is also gas heated hot water. I remember all too well my days growing up in the 40s in Philly. Three of us kids got tub baths once a week. Oh, we definitely had to sink-bathe (sponge bath) before we went to bed. No way would Mom let us get into bed dirty. But we had coal heat back then. I remember the coal coming down the chute to the cellar when it was delivered. Sometimes we didn’t have money for a load of coal. The house would be chilly and we’d need to bathe in the pantry where the stove was. Mom would put the oven on so we wouldn’t be chilled.

I also know that we are truly blessed here in America. At least most of us are. Even here, there are folks without hot-and-cold running water.

On top of that, I have always loved the feeling of water on my skin. I love walking in the rain, and yes, that means letting some of that rain fall upon me. When I shower, my bones turn to jelly. I cannot describe how much it relaxes me.

So, every night, after that blessedly wonderful feeling that follows a shower, I thank the Lord when I climb into bed. That is my time for thanks for every little thing that blessed my life that day. I usually always start out with thanks for my home and the community in which it sits. Then I move on to the little things. The little things are amazing in number, once the mind is trained and open to recognize them.

Father, thank you so much for this simple but blessed treat - the shower. I would say you have no idea how good it feels to me, but I realize that you certainly do know. Thanks again.    

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