Ode to a Kitchen Sink

There's just something about a clean sink—that gleam and hint of sparkle winking back at you and whispers, “Good job Mama! I sparkle and shine just like you!” while you sit and astonish your work from afar.

The gift of nothingness while you scrub, powder, and rinse just sets your mind, body, and soul on fire with a beautiful exhale of calm. Yes, that's it—calm over the chaos, and something clicks. What is that, you might ask? Relaxation? Did I just write that about a sink? Why, yes, yes, I did.

My kids have been home for almost two weeks. TWO WEEKS! That means endless tears, cries, laughs, fights, and other things in between. We have had visits from Santa, Mother Goose, Saint Nicholas, and numerous other friends and family galore. We have hosted gatherings, pets that we totally forgot about, and a cough that will not leave this house. While we are happy and grateful that we can do these things, we are exhausted. We are exhausted from having to put in another load of dishes that exists of trays, cups, oh the fucking water cups, and of course, the never-ending amount of Cool Whip containers that have housed turkey dinners, gravy and mashed potatoes. Not to mention the leftovers from my kids’ turn in the kitchen, which resulted in breakfasts and chicken nuggets they insist on making. It’s glorious, of course, but it only adds to the chaos in the kitchen and the ever-growing pile in the sink.

 We can’t forget the never-ending amount of science experiments that have ended in blue goo, slime, and baking soda all over my counters, and don't even get me started with dirty blue paint water that has almost stained my precious sink.

I need a break!

My babysitters, husband, and kids all know that if there are dishes in the sink, this Mama just can’t function! I can’t start dinner or tackle a new project until the kitchen is clean—it just doesn’t sit right with me.

And let me tell you, cleaning the kitchen is an adventure in itself. When I stumble upon a little tiara made from glittery pipe cleaners courtesy of my three-year-old, you bet I put it on. And if I find a pair of earrings my 11-year-old crafted earlier that morning? They’re going straight into my ears—or maybe my nose piercing—for the day. My kids know this and roll their eyes with a giggle the next time they see me, fully expecting my fashion choices to include their latest masterpieces.

So when I finally get those blissful few minutes to clean the kitchen, you can find me adorned in my kids’ latest crafts as I load trays and plastic cups into the dishwasher. I swirl a beautiful ballerina loop of blue Dawn dish soap into the sink, scrubbing away the day’s memories—I mean, messes—while the garbage disposal hums like a little kitchen symphony, shredding everything in its path. My body sends a shrill and I can’t help but grin. It’s a grin that’s part Grinch, part serene Indian goddess. (You know what I am talking about!)

But, what is that feeling? I recognize it.

JOY?

 CONTROL?

 RELAXATION?

 CALM?

 DETERMINATION?

 All from a sink? Yes, absolutely. Because there’s something about a clean sink that sets this glittery blue tiara-wearing woman soaring to new heights!

I know you know what I am talking about!