Enjoyment of not working

Recently I have enjoyed the poetry of Wendell Berry in his book CLEARING, published in 1974.  The book of poems was discovered in a used book store and given to me by a friend as a Christmas present.  The collection of poems is a treasure.

This past Thursday while washing windows in Deerfield this verse came to mind:

One thing work gives

is the joy of not working,

a minute here or there

when I stand and only breathe,

receiving the good of the air.

It comes back.  Good work done

comes back into the mind,

a free breath drawn.

I began my window washing "career" over thirty years ago in Deerfield.  I was a student at that time and was delighted to find work that paid sufficient to meet my expenses.  I've washed countless windows in the interveining years, and the village of Deerfield as changed as it and I have grown older.  

I decided to park my tools for a few minutes and go for a walk to look around a bit.  A walk around the block took me to Deerfields Bakery, one of my first customers.  I walked in.  I was treated to the magically colorful display of cookies, sweet rolls, customized special occasion cakes, etc.  The shop is a sweet tooth paradise.  I ordered a large coffee, and one peanut butter chocolate cookie.  I filled my coffee cup and noticed that the windows were immaculately clean.  First Impression has played it's role in the Schmidt families successful enterprise for over thirty years.  I felt warmed, blessed by the thought.

Good work done....for over thirty years.