Short in the Shank

When I was a kid, little ones were often called ‘Short Shank’ as a term of endearment.

Bless my heart! I was a short shank then, and apparently I still am! In height anyway.

I’m giving a picture in words as a photo of the actual action was a sight NOT to behold!

We were at Amanda’s house for a few days. I needed to wash clothes before heading back to Georgia. I gathered up the clothes, finally figured out all the correct buttons to push to get the washer started, and closed the lid. So far, so good.

The funny part came as I tried to retrieve the clothes to put them into the dryer.

Amanda has a HUGE machine. And I swear! It comes chest high on me! For the life of me, the freshly washed clothes at the bottom of the tub were completely inaccessible. I had to find a ladder to get the clothes from the washer to the dryer or make a serious plan.

I figured it out.

I stood on tiptoe with my left leg, pushed up, and wrapped by left elbow around the edge of the washing machine tub. I pushed up with the other leg and hiked my knee up as far as I could and leaned into the tub. I would grasp a few items with my fingertips, plop down to the floor, put them in the dryer, and repeat the process. It took me a bit to finish, but I was having a good laugh at myself and getting some exercise at the same time. It was a win/win.

On the other end of the spectrum are tall cabinets. When we remodeled our house in Georgia, our custom cabinets were fashioned specifically for the old man and me with our vertical challenges in mind. My children all have cabinets that a tall basketball player would be proud to own!

I get a little embarrassed as I try to help them set the table or get serving dishes. I have to call for one of the kids or the taller grandkids to help me. I am sometimes about two feet too short to get the job done. Definitely short in the shank.

At Amanda’s, I was going to try to get teabags. Wouldn’t you know, they were on the top shelf! I tried jumping up a few times. Not a good idea!

Amanda saw my dilemma, giggled, and calmly brought down the box of bags for my use.

This is a silly blog and and even sillier Biblical application. I have added to 2 Corinthians 12:10. “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” And at that point, I also get a little crazy creative! And giggly.

Anyway.

Have a blessed day.

KB