While I was in high school, my parents bought a new chair. It was definitely a piece of a specific point in time, almost designed to be out of fashion as soon as possible. At the same time, it was a solid example of Midwestern craft; it was built to last.
The chair remained with my parents while I was in college, and became the favorite spot of one of their cats. It first moved with me while I was in graduate school. It was familiar, it was functional, and I did not need to pay for it.
The chair was comfortable, though quite ugly. It had a good, solid back, and the seat was welcoming in exactly the right way. The arms were in the right spot; supportive for leaning an elbow, and not too high for resting a leg.
The chair began to acquire various articles of clothing; several different wraps and throws, a serape from Mexico, and a changing array of footstools. It lived several different places in Wisconsin, and then made the trip to Washington, DC. After a couple years there, it moved to Chicago. Several years in Chicago, and it was back to Washington. After a few more years, the chair moved with me to Southern California.
The chair has had a little work. First, the springs were replaced; then it was recovered. It has gone through several significant phases, in the same way that I have. We have been through a lot together. It is probably the one thing that has been with me the longest.
The chair is still a great place to read, to reflect, to sit and look out a window. It is at all of my parties, and is still supportive and comfortable. I sit in the chair when I listen to people in spiritual direction and leadership coaching.
Why don’t we sit and talk for a while?
[Image by ellyjonez]
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