Cool crisp air embraced the bright and sunny morning that this reluctant participant with Parkinson’s had designated as house cleaning day. Vinyl siding now encases the old farm house and sparkles a bright white most of the year. Summer warmth and humidity in the presence of reduced direct sunlight on the north side serve as a rich foundation for the growth of mold and mildew. Armed with a bucket of water and bleach along with a long handled brush and water hose, this determined cleaning warrior commenced the battle of the mold. Tackling one section at a time starting from the top, the bleach soaked brush was guided up and down, then side to side. A rinse with the hose quickly uncovered spots that needed another application from the cleaning warrior to render the section a sparkling white. Section by section, strip by strip, the process was repeated again and again. Aching joints and stiffened muscles seemed to all coalesce at the eighty percent complete point for that side of the house. The real battle then began. It was no longer the battle of me versus the mold, it was the battle between the “I can’t do this anymore” me and the “just one more section” me. The “just one more section” warrior won out to complete what had been set as the goal for the cleaning. As each stroke in the “me” battle was delivered with determination a grateful heart noticed what appeared to be a breakthrough in the joint pain and stiffness. Both pests were still present, but their metaphorical barking was not as loud. Thankfulness became the engine that lifted each stroke as the last intended section was complete. The house cleaning set out for completion had been accomplished and a grateful heart embraced this warrior in a restful reprieve.
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