Photo by Trym Nilsen on Unsplash

Today I cleaned the blinds, slat by slat.
Wiping away layers of dust, marked with fingerprints that have gathered stealthily.
Unnoticed.
Hidden until they were not.

I noticed them first thing.
Shafts of early morning sunlight exposing each tiny particle.
Each mark, each imprint.
Light has a tendency to do that; expose things.

I noticed one of the blinds was broken.
Not functioning as it should, no matter how much I tugged or pushed or pulled.
How long has this blind been like this?
I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed, perhaps just me.

Anyway, I think I’ve got away with it.
A broken blind can wait, there are other jobs ahead in the queue.
It’s not something I am able to fix, I don’t have the resources, time or skill.
But at least cleaning it today helps take my mind off the fact that I have been unable to fix you.

You and I are good at waiting; long overdue appointments they said you badly need.
Another day, another week or month, even year; I lose track as the dust continues to settle.
For the present, I’ll find something else in our lives to polish, clean or mend.
As it remains one of the greatest of honours in my life to do everything I can for you.

I began by naming this poem “Broken” but then I remembered: I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.

So instead I’ve called it

Fixed.

#Downsyndrome #Acts2:26 #Caring #Carersweek #parentcarer