Jenna's Xmas present to me this year was a cleaning lady for a day. She gave me it early knowing I had all kinds of things on my "To Do" list for the holidays and was hoping it would help me feel organized. I had one once about ten years ago right before my daughter, Julie, got married. We had just done some decorating, and I was in need of some help before everyone came in from out of town for get-togethers at our house. As I remember it, the lady that came was good, fast, and didn't speak much English; but I felt relieved to have her help at the time.
That was the last time I was treated to the services of someone other than me cleaning my house....until today. I knew to expect the cleaning lady somewhere between 7:45 and 8:30 am. Needless to say, I was up plenty early enough to make sure I looked human and wouldn't scare her off. The doorbell rang about 8:00.
I can't be sure, because of course I didn't ask, but the woman coming to clean my house for the next six hours looked to be older than me. A short, white-haired, Polish lady who moved about as fast as I did (and that's none to fast these days) ambled through the front door; and with a slight nervous smile, started removing the layers of her clothing.
Finally down to her 'working-wear,' she pointed to herself and said, "Christina."
Still a little foggy from wondering how in the world this woman was going to clean my house any better...or less painfully than if I had done it all myself, I finally woke up and pointed to myself and said, "Joy. Hi, how are you Christina?"
I guess I must have been totally out of touch with the realities of a cleaning service. I knew they employed women of all ages; but as I held my little list of tasks to be done, I couldn't help but wonder if she would be able to do them all...and still live to tell about it. I don't know who was slower up the stairs...me or her.
I told her what I needed done in my upstairs bathroom....and I didn't tell her to do anything else on that floor, since I had already done some things and was going to finish the rest after she was gone. I had 'other' things on my list that were priorities for me. I didn't want her to think I was watching her every move, so I busied myself on the first floor waiting for her to come down to tell her what was next.
After about two hours; which I thought was quite some time to wash a bathroom floor, tub, toilet and sink, I went upstairs to make sure everything was okay. She had pretty much finished the bathroom and went on to the bedrooms. Good news and bad news....
I had already dusted most of those rooms, and she was going over the same stuff. But she proceeded to vaccum and wipe the wooden floors down; which was something I had intended to do after she was gone. She saved me that work; but I had to go around putting things back where I had them since of course she couldn't remember how I had them. I quickly took the opportunity to tell her NOT to dust my living room; which was completely decorated from tip to toe with Xmas stuff. (I hardly wanted to rearrange everything again.....besides, I already dusted it.)
I guess we had a small glitch in language communication, because the first thing she did when she came downstairs was start to take Xmas things off of my coffee table so she could dust. After another small intervention, I think we finally were on the same page. I apologized (although I don't know why) for not wanting her to clean what she probably routinely does. All I know, 'time was ticking,' and she still had quite a bit of my list still to do. Again I kept busy while she was hard at work. She really was a very lovely lady and was doing a good job.
By noon she had finished the living room and the office and took a break to eat a sandwich. We chatted, as best we could. She looked a little tired to me, but she said she had another job after mine to go to. Then she attempted to tell me about some family problems. I may not have gotten everything, but I think I got the gist of what she was telling me. She was going to see her son soon who lived in Germany. He was very sick with diabetes. (I was very proud of myself for figuring this out since I asked what the disease was that he had, and the only thing she could come up with was "Sugar, sugar, sugar," pointing to my sugar canister. When I said, "diabetes," she enthusiastically nodded her head in consent.) The sadness in her eyes made it easy for me to understand why she worked so hard for so long. Suddenly I knew what this lady was all about. She had another son, I think in Minnesota....and a daughter in a suburb of Chicago; which is where she takes a bus home to when her working day is done.
There was some kind of problem in her daughter's life. Again she got very pensive and repeated things over and over again to help tell her story. For the life of me, I'm not sure what the problem was; but I think it had something to do with her daughter's boyfriend and having to go to court. I got the very distinct impression Christina wasn't all that fond of her daughter's boyfriend.
She pointed to me and asked, "Husband?" I told her I lost my husband five years ago. She pointed to herself and said, "Me, six year." Somehow we managed to find the words to share with one another now.
There was a couple of hours left before Christina would be picked up by the service. She managed to wash everything in the main floor bathroom, wash my kitchen floor and cabinets, wipe down all my appliances, clean the sink, throw out all the garbage, and chat for a few minutes before she was picked up.
As she put the layers of clothing back on before going out in the cold, I paid her and thanked her for doing such a wonderful job. Her pensive face suddenly lit up; and I knew just where that money was going. She made a couple of piles...one for the cleaning service, and one she said, "Me kids." I swear it took everything I had to hold it together. My body ached just watching her bend and stoop, reach and stretch all day long to make my house look nice. I told her how much I admired her for all of her hard work and the kind of person she was...and I gave her the extra money Jenna left for her as a tip.
I can only hope she understood that the extra money was for HER...not the cleaning service. She turned and slowly walked outside to wait for her ride...and on to the next job. She does this every single day...seven days a week. Up by 4:30 am...home at God only knows what hour. I don't know how she does it at her age....I know I couldn't. She's one strong and determined lady....a beautiful soul. Thank you Christina.
My kids start coming in a week....Julie and her family. Then Jory and her family come a few days later. I don't know how much I'll be able to post....I might find some time; but realistically, probably not.
I want to wish you all the most beautiful of holidays with those you truly enjoy being around and love. I hope there are surprises in your holidays, laughter in your soul, and joy in your heart. And I hope to have some great photos to post, as I hope you will too. Happy Holidays everyone....and God Bless. Love, Joy

Christmas Is Always Christmas
We all remember some past December
of cocoa and nights decorating the tree.
Of tinsel and angels and lights burning bright;
and mistletoe hanging…oh what a sight!
And the smell of the pine from the tree that we got
that we proudly picked out from the old corner lot.
And the ornaments the children gingerly placed
all over the tree in just the right space.
Of the candy canes hanging on branches so bright;
and the wreaths and the holly…it all seemed so right.
When putting the star atop of the tree
was all that it took to get a smile out of me.
The wrapping of presents, and writing out cards;
and snowmen and lights softly draping the yards.
Oh the feeling of joy that touched everyone
and held us for days in laughter and fun.
And the Carolers coming to sing at the door;
and the joy on the faces of those they sang for.
And mom’s special cookies and over-baked breads…
The rapturous smells went straight to our heads.
Of turkey and ham and stuffing and pie;
Our tummies so full we thought we would die.
All sitting cozy in the glow of the fire;
looking into the faces we love and admire.
And wrapping ourselves up snuggly and tight
in Grandpa’s strong arms for most of the night.
And Grandma’s perfume encircling our noses;
A sweet flowery scent…like petals of roses.
In moments like these…how good life can be
as you bask in the glow of your “near perfect” tree.
The years always change…they’ll come and go….
But Christmas is Christmas…and will always be so.
-Joy