You probably clicked on this link hoping for some juicy gossip about a friend’s proverbial dirty laundry… sorry to disappoint, but the laundry is very much my own, and it is literal not proverbial! Because when we returned from our pre Christmas cruise, the day before Christmas eve, when I had heaps to do and basically all our clothing to be washed from holiday wearing….. the washing machine chose that day to die.
My husband, couldn’t quite accept the situation, when the dreaded error beeping began chirping from the machine as the first load hit the spin cycle. Thinking the machine was off balance, he moved some washing around and tried again. No luck…. The shrill beeping began again before he could even exit the laundry. Then he decided that the machine was over loaded, so he removed half the washing instead. It still wouldn’t work. So he did what all tech people do, turned it off and turned it back on again. This appeared to work…. Until it once again reached the spin cycle and was having none of it! I came in to see what was going on and noticed that the error message I usually get was C4 and this one was C2. So I went on a treasure hunt to find the manual etc and found that the issue was that the machine was unable to drain and instructions said to check the hose. So hubby promptly removed the hose, only to find there was no blockage, as the machine emptied litres and litres of water into our laundry, toilet, bathroom and hallway which was now like a swamp. That’s how we learned sand had clogged the overflow drains. But not before he tried the machine again 2 more times, yes, twice, you read that correctly, and both times added more water to the floor situation when low and behold, the machine still refused to drain.
We were all exhausted, it was 11pm and we just had to go to sleep and deal with it in the morning. When I woke up, the carpet was damp, the floor drains needed plunging, there were piles of smelly wet but unwashed washing everywhere, all the towels were added to the piles because of the floor situation and it was Christmas eve. Not to worry my husband pointed out; the machine was under warranty. Do you think I could find the receipt? No. But a quick call to the place of purchase would solve that; except he pointed out nobody was going to come out between Christmas and new year, and most places were closed until at least the 8th Jan. Fabulous.
There was no way I could hand wash all of this, particularly not in time for all the Christmas celebrations were taking place as early as that morning! So I reluctantly called my friend who lives around the corner from me, and explained the situation. I knew she had a washing machine outside of her house for her business use, so I asked if I could please pop over and use it, explaining I would take the washing home wet, and dry it myself etc… I just needed the use of her machine.
Taking pity on me, my friend invited me and my washing for coffee. Placing the first load in her machine we chatted until it ended and I went to take it and put it back in the basket to take home to dry, telling her I would be back in an hour to grab the next load. But no, she insisted she would hang the first load, and the second and bring it back to my house on the way out later that afternoon. Which she did, and when she was there, and saw the piles of laundry still to be done, she insisted I put another 3 loads in her car.
Folks, not only did my precious friend spend her Christmas eve washing my family’s clothes and towels, our smelly socks and well worn underpants, she hung it out to dry, carefully folded it and delivered it neatly organized back to my house. She even hid some caramel tarts or chocolates etc… in with a few loads for me to find as I put it all away. Not only that, as 3 weeks later, the repair people have come out and said the pump is gone and they need to order a new one, so we still have no machine, and every second day or so, she has checked in with me and made sure I am not the emperor with no clothes! Without asking, or complaint, she shows up, collects it, washes, dries, folds and sorts it, and brings it back. For weeks. Through the busiest season. My friend is an angel. And I have thanked her profusely, offered to pay her which was refused, bought her a bottle of her favourite perfume (which she did accept and was touched I remembered which is her favourite) and said I will take her for a meal. But she isn’t doing it for that, or for the accolades; she is doing it out of love and care for a friend in need.
That friend in need, isn’t often me. And it was very humbling, and also very awakening for me. As I relayed the saga to my family over Christmas dinner, my mum said of course that I could have used her machine, but that was less convenient, particularly now they live in a small apartment further away with less drying space if I was to spend a day doing multiple loads, although the offer was appreciated. My sister in law commented she didn’t think she would have any friends willing or offering to do the same for her in similar circumstances.
It gave me a moment to pause and reflect, not only how grateful and lucky I am to have this particular angel in my life as a friend, but how many good friends I do have that I could turn to in this instance. Sure, not all of them may have gone to the extent this friend did, who clearly went above and beyond, however, I doubt any of my friends would have turned me down to use their machine. Several said, as a matter of fact; “you can bring a load here and run it through my machine if you need/like.” I can’t think of a single person who wouldn’t be willing to help. It just so happened the friend I did turn to lives near me and has 2 machines, and we are close enough friends that I have no problem with her seeing all our undies. She doesn’t judge!
Here’s a big shout out to you, my dirty laundry friend; and to all my friends for the love and support in big, small, tangible and intangible ways! Thank you for being there for me, for being a network of wonderful women I can turn to whatever I need. And I do. Need you. All of you. I am here for you too. Bring all your dirty laundry, proverbial and literal and we will sort it out together.
I hope this post inspires you to look at your own friendship circles, and who you could ask to take care of your own dirty laundry, and really appreciate how lucky you are to have those people you love and trust to turn to. If you don’t think you have anyone, or you would never dream of asking for such help, maybe this is a gentle reminder to let people in, that it is ok to be vulnerable, and to build intimate friendships. If you are always the helper and never the receiver of help; let this post remind you that helping feels amazing and you should keep doing it, but receiving help is humbling too. Which is important in life.
Sure, I could have used a laundromat. Or a dry cleaning service. I would not have even died to go three weeks without washing. But this is the fabric of friendship; dirty or clean. And it is worth it’s weight in gold!
❤ Love,
Your Best Friend ForNever
xx
