I unload the second of four loads of laundry from the washer to the dryer. Number 5 comes toddling in, offering to help. I pick up my pace, wanting to quickly finish the task before a mess is made. I stop, mid-transfer, and remember–What am I in such a rush for? Little hands and wobbly little legs will not always follow me around. There will be many many days ahead when I will undoubtedly do laundry in a hauntingly quiet house. Make time for inefficiency, Ruth. They are opportunities for so much more. So, I intentionally drop a few pieces of clean laundry (gasp!) clumsily to the ground while I continue to move a wet load of jeans to the dryer. “Oops!” I say, “Can you help me pick it up, Asa?” At 16 months, Number 5, could not be more confident that he is the solution to all cleaning and […]