And to hell with the housework.

Out of the blue. Julie becomes obsessed. With the notion that she must do housework. Scrub the floors. Clean the closet. Fix a meal.  She excuses herself. So that she can complete her domestic chores. But Julie is in a nursing home. Being tended to. She has no obligation. To do housework. Everybody tells her that. But still. Julie insists. That she must complete her chores. Instead, I encourage Julie to lean back. To look out the window. To observe the beautiful day. The sunshine. The glorious feeling. Of being alive. At this particular moment.  To forget about her household tasks. I suggest. That we go outdoors. In her wheelchair. With her beloved pet dog Sasha. Yes, we all go out. And bask in the sunshine. And feel the balmy warmth. It’s a 60-degree day. With a gentle breeze. Yes, Julie is learning. How to take a break.  To savor the precious wonders. Of life. They occur. All  the time. Around us. All we need do. Is grasp and fall in love with  the moment. And to hell with the housework. --Jim Broede