It took over an hour, getting the windows ready for cold weather. Out came the screens and the glass outer windows, top and bottom. The double-hung inside panes were squirted with a vinegar/water/soap spray – twice each. Pollen, dust, a few leaves and some spider webs were removed, leaving behind a much cleaner set of windows. It’s the same every year: I’m amazed at how much the accumulated dirt of the past few months was blocking my view. For an investment of time and a little scrubbing, I get a better view of the world outside my own home.
Window washing is a good metaphor for teaching in faith. Study and practice can help me scrub the dirt off the glass, allowing a better view of the world. It doesn’t create the world or dictate the view, but it can make it easier to see and share. That’s good enough for me.
When i wash windows i often think about my mother and that is a very good thing. I love to think about my mother and how she carried out this seasonal job of taking apart the windows and cleaning them up with such great dedication and care.
I like to follow in her footsteps after she set a good example of accomplishing this household chore and many others with such lovely grace.
Peace, Robin
I have good memories of my grandmother and grandfather doing the annual cleaning of the storm windows, then hanging them over the windows – a turn of the 20th century storm window set-up. It was a sure sign that snow would soon be on the way, and a chance to spend time helping my grandparents. peace, Johnna