When we lived in the Carolinas, my friend – affectionately known as Wanda Woman, helped me organize our home. She came in, and like a superhero, organized every item in our home from the attic to the basement. When she appeared of a morning, we would work with what seemed to be superhuman strength and stamina to sort and organize every area of our two story colonial. If we were going to organize the kitchen, for instance, on a particular day, I would have to have every cabinet cleaned out by the time she arrived and only the food, dishes, and kitchen items that I needed to keep, were out. So I worked while Wanda Woman was there, and I had homework when she left. It turned out that Wanda Woman’s organization stuck with me. Once I cleaned out all the *stuff and fluff* that I didn’t use or need, it was so much easier to find items, and to function with those items, and then to return them to the place that they belonged. Makes me think of the saying:
“A place for everything and everything in its place.”
I felt like everything had a place after Wanda Woman left and I wanted to operate in that new found order that Wanda Woman had provided for me. Did I also mention that we lived in a historic home? With all the wonderful architecture and lovely details we enjoy about a historic home, closet and storage space was not at a premium in our home in the historic district. Closets were what was behind the door. No expansive accumulation of anything that was not really needed could be stored, because there was no room. Before Wanda Woman, I had my closets stuffed full though. After she left, I began a system that included a seasonal evaluation of what was in my closet, and getting rid of what I had not worn. I was also mindful of what I had, because I could see everything. No more cramming things in just to have them crammed in there, because when I crammed them in there, I’d then forget that they were there…
It was nice to have the help of a friend in organizing our home. Some projects can just seem overwhelming. Sometimes, it is just good to have help. Someone who is older and wiser can add wisdom and knowledge, and joy, to areas that we are not schooled in or need help to overcome. Now, I may have eventually come to the point of being an organized person without Wanda Woman; but, the probability is highly unlikely. I’m thankful for the time, effort and energy she shared with me.
My grandmother commented this last week that I was the most organized person she knew. I thought how proud Wanda Woman would be of me.
Do you feel that you have your own personal superhero? Someone that has helped you through a situation or life process or been a friend in a time of need? Or maybe you didn’t even know that you needed a superhero at the time; but, as you look back and reflect, a person was there for you? Maybe you didn’t need help with organization; but you needed insight into an interpersonal relationship? Or you needed advice with a situation or life event. Or you needed help with paint or wallpaper or decorating or baking or shopping or children or parents? Or. Or. Or.
As I think back on my time with the superhero who helped me put order into my home, I find myself very grateful for the people that the LORD allows me to do life with. The Wanda Woman’s of my life. Because of her help, three homes later, my laundry room has order to it:
And this is an actual cabinet in a bathroom in our home. The home we currently live in has more storage space that we have ever had, and I even have drawers and cabinets that have nothing in them. Why? Because 15 plus years ago, an older and wiser woman helped me organize my home and taught me to keep and store what was needed. She also encouraged me to get rid of what I didn’t need.
I feel led to write my personal superhero a note of thanks this week. She taught me a practical life lesson and skill, and I am very grateful to her. Because of her investment, I have reaped and shared the rewards of organization. Yes, writing Wanda Woman a letter of thanksgiving is going to be on my to do list this week. And I want to encourage you to write your superhero a letter of thanks too.
