Week 12: ORDER – Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

Closing update - none!

"Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning."               

~ C. S. Lewis

Order - the minute you step foot in Ms. Leveine's home the first thing that comes to mind is order, the second is to remove your shoes. You may be so inclined to utter rhetorically, "Who lives here? Or Does anyone live here?". "Yes, however could anyone else live here?" The space is always "photo shoot" fresh.

My Caribbean host left to an island not of her pedigree, off on a much needed holiday; leaving behind the stress of work and a list of items to "handle" before her return, 11 days later. The list was short and the time seemed to go quickly.  I decided I would use this stay at J's to just relax. I have been out every night since I started my homeFREEness just about 3 months ago, save few exceptions.

I can only imagine that dust is afraid to collect in any meaningful way, as J's wrath is swift and exacting. I remember installing her surround sound speakers with dust falling from the drill holes. I will take creative license in describing her actions as she used some Jedi, karate, "you are too young to know grasshopper" move to where the dust never actually hit the floor! And while working under these conditions seems intimidating, living in such pristine conditions is welcoming and refreshing. It is the emotional equivalent of having your sheets turned down, pillows fluffed and consuming the coco-dusted thai chili truffle thoughtfully placed on the corner of your turned-down bed by the head of housekeeping in a hotel that has way too many stars to be affordable.  Thanks J!

I equally miss the order of my own home. Morning routines of required cleaning, as I was never sure who would accompany me home. Carving out time to create spaces where things belonged, uncertain the occasion that would summon the need to ignite 25 candles to create the evening's ambiance; tea light wicks stood erect ready to respond to my amber ambiance request. Bamboo/cotton blend towels stacked as an invitation to relax and stay until morning. The morning exercise of meticulously making a bed that only those willing to sandwich themselves between the Egyptian cotton sheets could truly appreciate its feather bed comfort. Food and spices organized for a planned party of forty or an impromptu intimate dinner for two or three.

My son has become a student of this learned behavior. Arising at least twenty minutes earlier to ensure bed, toys and living room were in proper order. The pride and attention to detail in remembering and replacing the 25 tea lights whose wicks had expired. The order and independence of retrieving his apparel, showering, dressing, constructing breakfast and managing the massive 'fro was no small feat for Medium to accomplish in 60 minutes.