quote of the day (extended)

Despite being a regular occurrence, there's a certain event that remains dramatically tragic. When I announce its time, there is protesting and wailing and desperate begging. If I try to be sneaky, I will inevitably be discovered and the wailing is even worse. It’s more than just the usual tantrum but usually involves that truly broken-hearted, sobbing, flung myself on the floor kind of desperation.

What could possibly be so awful as to warrant such behavior?

Laundry day. Yes its true. Ladybug’s faithful companions Yellow and Panda are well loved. Each day she drags them upstairs with her for a good morning cuddle. They sit wrapped around the chair behind her during breakfast. They wait just outside the door during bathtime for her, cuddle on the couch with her, take naps with her, play outside with her, get taken along in the car with her and go everywhere else imaginable. I confess they even get taken to church because she gets so cranky and tired during sacrament meeting that it really is easier for everyone in the chapel this way. Yellow and Panda are her constant comforts and being thus, get dragged, dropped and exposed to all sorts of messes, spills and mishaps.

When wash day comes, I explain to Ladybug and show her the soiled spots and we agree that Yellow needs a bath. She follows me to the laundry and we spread the blankets out on the floor. Then we take turns spraying the stain remover. I start the washer and she gathers up her precious friends. She pushes them into the washer and I close the lid. With resignation we leave the laundry room. Almost immediately, she changes her mind, whips around and throws herself at the washer crying and pleading for her Yellow and Panda. After a failed attempt of reasoning with her, I simply gather her up and take her downstairs and try to distract her for the next 90 minutes.

Finally, that wonderful moment comes! I tell Ladybug that Yellow is ready and she runs to the Laundry room, pulls on the dryer until I open it and nearly dives in to grab her blankets. Her face is priceless, blissfully happy to be reunited with her best friends again.

Today, Grammy washed Yellow who was recently a victim of a Wendy’s frosty incident. She let Ladybug help spray and put it in the washer. There was a little drama but eventually Ladybug resigned herself to hold Panda and watch a movie until Grammy retrieved the freshly washed and dried Yellow. Grammy held up Yellow and waited for Ladybug to notice. Ladybug squealed in delight and raced over, snatched up her blanket and hugged it tight. But the best part came next when she raced to the other room to grab Panda and pressed them together. “Look Panda! It’s Yellow! Yellow is all clean and can play again!”