It’s probably been over two years since I decided to hire Myrna. It felt so
frivolous to hire someone to clean my place but I figured it was important to
me, and if I managed my money carefully, I could handle the expense. Besides I
don’t have a car payment. My condo was so beautiful and new when I bought it, I
didn’t want it to lose its shine. I know there are plenty of blind people who
do a great job cleaning, but it just is too much for me when I work full time.
I just don’t have the energy to stay on top of the dust. Sometimes when you
have a disability it makes sense to spend extra money to make your life easier
and more enjoyable. I know a guy who is blind and he likes to splurge on
pedicures once a month. I decided to try a house cleaner and hired Myrna.
If it started to feel like a waste of money,
I could just tell her I changed my mind. She cleaned the first time and I never
looked back. I was delighted with how the place was transformed. My toes would
sink into the plush carpet, which had felt thread bare the day before. It
seemed like I was in a hotel. She even washes my windows. Every time she
does her magic I am once again singing her praises. In books and articles I’ve
read there is sometimes a story of an elderly person who dies and leaves a
chunk of money to the maid. It never made any sense to me until I met Myrna! My
quality of life has been enriched. Now with Racer in the house it can get
pretty hairy. I bought a Dyson and when I first vacuumed after my dog had been
with me a few weeks, I couldn’t believe the amount of furriness that was
emptied from the vacuum. It was like a mini Racer was compacted inside the
Dyson. In between Myrna’s visits I venture to take out the vacuum. Racer
watches me like he doesn’t trust me with the contraption. I expect him to run
when he sees me with the noisy machine but instead he acts like he needs to
supervise or protect me from myself. He stares as I push several levers and
buttons and pull out all the extensions. Once I’m finished, I scratch my head
about how to put it all back together. Accomplishment washes over me when the
endeavor is over. Racer and I, feeling very relieved and worn out from our
duties, trot to our respective spots in the living room and take a nap.
“I was frustrated as a child when I had to use a vacuum. It had a screaming
noise and the smell of stale dog and a lack of performance.” James Dyson
