Appliance Appreciation

“I feel used, unappreciated,” my dishwasher told me.

I thanked it for its service.

“Too little, too late,” it said, then fell silent and refused to turn back on.

After a week of hand washing, I realized I had taken it for granted. I sank to my knees, pleading, “I want you back. It’ll be different this time.” No response.

A week later I replaced it. The new machine was more efficient, less needy. Still, at the end of each load I made sure to give it a little pat of gratitude and whispered, “keep up the good work.”