This One Job

~~I had to do it. This one time. My way. Cleaning the kitchen seems like a simple job for most people. For me, not so much anymore. I should have known when I woke up and the joints in my hands were already swollen that it was going to be a tough day. I couldn’t even get my rings on. Okay, no big deal to the jewelry but the kitchen was bugging me. I was going to tackle it and win. It needed a good wipe down. I wanted to take everything off the counters and scrub all surfaces, do the dishes, clean the stove, and do the floor. I used to be able to bust this job out, no problem. Of course, that was a long time ago. All summer long, I have had help and I am truly grateful for that. This time though, I felt the urge to take it on. A pressing battle. Me against the kitchen.

~~Spanish music is my favorite music to clean to. So, I set the mood. I put my back brace on. I pull my hair back and get ready to go. I am 10 minutes into washing the dishes and what do I do? I drop a plate. It breaks into pieces. I am not discouraged yet. This has happened before. In fact, our set has dwindled down substantially thanks to my gimp hands losing their grip. While cleaning up the mess off broken china, I manage to cut myself and draw blood. This is also normal. Still not discouraged. The kitchen is winning right now. But, it’s early. I put a band aid on and keep going. The dishes get finished with no more blood or broken pieces. 

~~Already my back is aching even with the brace. But, I can do this. I CAN do this. I remove the stuff off the counters and wipe them down. Then, the stove. I give that bad boy a complete wipe down. Yes! I feel like the scoreboard is even now. The kitchen and I are tied. Now, if I can just do the floor, I will win. It will be the tiebreaker. But, wow. My back is breaking though. I stop. I take the brace off. I try to do some stretches. This one job has taken me forever. I am wishing I could have no more pain for a few minutes. Just a break long enough to do the floor. It’s ok. I am a fighter. A lupus warrior. I get the floor finished.  

~~I broke the tie. I have won this time. The price I will pay tomorrow still remains to be seen. When I walk past the kitchen, it looks so beautiful. I feel I have accomplished a major feat. My back is busted. My joints are swollen beyond recognition. Was battling the kitchen worth it? To me today, it was. This one job, this one time, I wanted to be able to do on my own. Lupus is a give and take. If I go beyond my means, I know there will be a price to pay. Sometimes, it cannot be helped. My will gets the better of me. My fighting spirit takes over. Whether it’s cleaning the kitchen or something bigger. I will always fight. 

~~Can you relate? #LupusMariposa® #ThisOneJob #FightThrough #LupusWarriors