Finding Sanctuary in the Tub

When I was young my mom took a bath every single night. It was her sanctuary. She loved the green Vitabath that my father brought her home from his business trips to Chicago, where he would stop at Marshall Fields, her favorite department store, to replenish her supply.

As many of us know, moms don’t get enough alone time — not even in the bathroom. My mom was no different. Each night, as she relaxed in the bath, eyes closed, shedding the cares of the day, I would creep up to the side of the tub so very carefully and tell her all the trials and challenges of my third grade day.

She would listen so patiently, so lovingly. As much I can see now that this was her time, to mend the wear and tear on her own soul, I didn’t know that then. I only knew that I had her all to myself.

So Mom, if you’re reading this, thank you for your patience while I interrupted your sanctuary time in the bath. You shared your sanctuary with me and I loved every minute of it. In fact, you inspired me to create a sanctuary in my own bathroom.

The tub is a powerful tool for sanctuary. My own bath is a place where I can do the same thing that my mother did and does — shed the cares of the day and mend where my spirit has worn.

My bath is filled with the things that help me do this, starting with the gentle butter yellow of the walls, moving to my beautiful bath board that holds candles, bath salts, a soap dish, and either a mug of mint tea or a glass of wine, depending on how much mending we’re talking about here.

I try to envision the moments that might be had in the bathrooms. I always include a place for candles, for beverages, and crystals. I love to incorporate live plants into bathrooms when I can, and big jars of bath salts, and baskets of sponges. Abundance in all things. Sanctuary in all spaces, but especially the bath.