Water Your Worth

Throughout my travels and caring for homes and animals there has been a continuous theme of me being a mother figure and a great housewife.

While in Costa Rica working at a hostel, I was called mami and most of the staff would use time with me as a safe space to share the dramas and how to address something. Then as I started travel with my child I was called the housewife, first at the dog daycare home where the owner had full confidence that not only would I care for all the animals but that the house would also be clean and she would have her coffee made for her when she woke up. Recently I teased while cleaning the house for an owner before she left so that she could focus on her packing without interruption and I said, “I’m like the housewife you didn’t know you needed.” She laughed out loud and told me that while she was out with her friends playing pickle ball that she had unintentionally told her friend that her trusted housewife was at the house caring for things.

There have been several other times where it was mentioned out of appreciation with different owners and jobs as well. However, this time I started laughing and shared this, “It is funny because when I was in a relationship I picked up this role and actually did it rather naturally and wanted to and yet I was continuously told that I didn’t do something right or not enough. It is like I am being redeemed and shown that I am not only a good woman and that I do a well enough job that many have given me the title of housewife.”

Now, before anyone gets their panties in a bunch about how this could be derogatory I want to explain why I get pleased to be referred to as such. A housewife is the one that makes sure all things are cared for and running smoothly, she supports the husband (or in my case, the owners) and makes sure that the home is a refuge for all to feel welcome and able to relax without stressing about what needs to be fixed, cleaned or cared for. I have also done quite a many household fixin’s – repaired a dryer, built a cat house, fixed a wiggly chair, replaced a broken part of a dishwasher, fixed the limits of a garage door, replaced a broken toilet flapper and reinstalled a screen door. I have also done the more feminine fixin’s – sewed curtain attachments, fixed holes in clothes, made hats and scarves and of course cooked and given attention. This is not a sit on your bum and look pretty role, in fact I will very quickly tell you that I rarely look “pretty” (haha) and that I typically get my ‘ah…’ moment when the baby is sleeping and things are cared for. To get any blogging or writing on the book done is like an overtime luxury as I always make sure that what needs to be done is done first and I am able to sit for thirty minutes (at least) and type. So, to be a trusted house wife is an over time job that doesn’t get days off (ever) and is typically only getting about eight hours total rest through each day, including sleep that is constantly interrupted by the needs of my child and sometimes animals as well. [If you can empathize with my endurance, would you be able to add a little support?<- every little bit is felt and appreciated.]

While it might seem ridiculous to others, I have found joy in being of service and making sure that my child, myself and all we come in contact with are cared for. Everyone is worthy to have that nice exhale moment knowing that all is cared for and in safe hands. Don’t you agree?