I have discovered the secret of the Sock Monster.
You know, the Sock Monster, that mythical beast that devours unsuspecting socks from the washer and dryer, leaving their companions alone and destined to become sock puppets? Well. I have found his lair.
The other day I was moving some clothes from the washer to the dryer and noticed a piece of … something… left behind in the washer. As I was attempting to scoot it out of the washer that “something” dropped into the crevice just at the front of the machine (I have a front load washer). Right at the front of the washer is a rubber circle which lines the entry. I pulled it back a bit and peeked in to see if I could find my missing something, but what I found instead was socks. SOCKS! At least a dozen of them, wet and cold and huddled together for comfort. My jaw hit the floor – you’ve been here all along?!
For years I had assumed that the Sock Monster was just a part of life – one of the Mysteries of the Universe. Living in New York City, I also blamed the bad Laundromats for stealing my socks. Sometimes I would keep those socks that were left behind in the hopes that their mate would someday just magically appear; other times I would just shake my head and toss them in the trash, muttering at the injustice of the Sock Monster. When we moved to Indiana and into a house and the Sock Monster struck again (He especially enjoys the tiny little sock-lets worn by my 11 month old son) I could no longer blame the Laundromat. Instead I just shrugged my shoulders and thought, “Wow. That Sock Monster is a serious dude.”
Now, in all these years of marveling at the Sock Monster, I never once tried to figure him out. Not once. And the other day, in pursuit of something else, I found that the answer to the Sock Monster was literally right in front of me. Not a mystery at all. I just needed to pay attention, to look closer… or to look differently. It makes me wonder what else I’m missing. So listen up, Other Great Mysteries of the Universe: I’m coming for you next.
What’s right in front of you?