My mother tells me the washing machine have gone kaput at the home. Being a rental place, it’s going to take some time to get the machine replaced with a (hopefully new) workin unit. In the meantime, my parents are hand-washing their clothes. Just like how they did it back in the old country (read: China). I asked why don’t they take the laundry to the local coin-operated laundromat. Being the extreme agoraphobe that she’s always is, my mother says those “public” washing machines are dirty and disgusting.
I guess? Doesn’t the washing machine sort of sell-cleans? Assuming people are actually using proper detergent…
Honestly, I can’t really argue with my mom. I’m lucky to never had the privilege of using an outside-the-house coin-op laundromat. Every place I’ve ever lived featured in-unit washer and dryer. As for way back when in China: well, I was a tiny kid then, so my parents did my laundry for me (manually). I do not know what it’s like to haul a bag of clothes to a public place, doing laundry at the same time with the rest of the neighbors who also don’t have built-in washers.
What is it like to put in a load of clothes and having to baby-sit it the entire way? I guess the advent of smartphones sort of killed that type of boredom. You can catch entire episodes of shows while the load is doing its spinning thing. Granted, surely those plastic chairs in a laundromat is not nearly as cushy and comfortable as your living room couch. Besides, you sort of have to pay some attention, no? This is America after all: someone can come steal your clothes - or your wallet - at any time. Got to be on alert constantly!
All that is to say: you sort of take the luxuries and conveniences of life for granted, until they get unceremoniously taken away from you, however momentarily. Practice gratitude for the things you already have, my friends.
Your friendly neighborhood doctor.