WASH DAY!

I walked down the winding path keeping an eye on the ground under my feet while I pushed aside the branches that intruded on the narrow space.  In one hand I held my closed umbrella and in the other was a five gallon bucket filled with dirty laundry.  I followed the girls down the hill, but most of the time they were skipping ahead and calling out to each other.  Even little Melvin who is going to be three this week was running as fast as his little legs could carry him.  Nidia, the children’s mom, came behind me with the baby perched on her hip.  We talked all the way down to the road.  I put the bucket down for a moment.  I looked across and just caught sight of Elbia and Dani disappearing into the bush.  The clouds had cleared and the sun was hot as we picked our way into the tangled bushes.  I was surprised to see in front of me a quickly moving stream of water.  It flowed over a cement block wall and made a clear pool that looked so refreshing.  Delmi sat on the side wall of this dam and then slid into the water.  She lifted her head up suddenly and sent a sparkling spray of water drops all around us.  The girls set up smooth stones in the gap of the wall where the water was spilling over in a steady stream.  Melvin found the laundry soap and 4 year old Dani put her jeans on the stone as she prepared to beat them on it.   Irma was going to mind the baby while Nidia washed the three buckets of clothes. Her gentleman had brought down the next two buckets on the handles of his bicycle.  I can’t believe he rode down that path that I could barely navigate on foot.  We set the buckets near the water that had started to turn a little milky.  Someone was washing upstream just a few hundred feet.  I found my umbrella which had somehow wandered over near the children, and so gave my last minute instructions to Irma and Elbia.  ”Make sure that you are helpful.”  Before submerging themselves, they each gave a firm, “Yes, mum.”  Nidia gave a little laugh and then took in a small breath.  ”This will take all day.”  I smiled and wondered if she was referring to the laundry or to the dirty faces looking at us.  Wash day at the creek includes bathing the children and cleaning the hair.  The splashing and giggling continued as I walked back out to the street.  What a great way to spend the day with your children!  But I think that I will go home and turn on the washing machine.

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