When I was about 3 years old my neighbors died. Don and Mimi Lee were my elderly neighbors as a toddler. I remember them fondly as I do most “well aged” people in my life. In their house there was always Brachs candy in a big tub under the kitchen sink, why the kitchen sink, I don’t know; a bear rug in the den and something with horns on the wall. The living room was always sunny and bright, I don’t remember the furniture in the living room, just the brightness. They had a playroom for their grandchildren, this is where I played a lot, keeping their toys warm until their next visit.
Mimi Lee was a sweet woman, always welcoming, my mom and Auntie Maggie would clean her house for her sometimes, every now and then the yard also. Don was retired and loving it, being bounced up and down on his knee looking at the thing with horns on the wall was a favorite pass-time. Mimi died first, this broke Don’s heart and he was never the same, he died a year later. When Don and Mimi passed their children came and cleaned the house out, dividing items amongst them and giving some things to our family. I remember them letting me pick something out from the playroom. There was so much to choose from, their grandkids were very loved; I’m not sure what toy I picked out, but I do remember them bringing over the little red chair for me to have.
My little red chair is older than I am, possibly made in the sixties or seventies. The frame is metal, the seat is red vinyl with nail head trim. This chair has been with me all my life, first as a seat in favorite neighbors house, then as my favorite seat in my house. It’s been with me in every home I’ve ever lived in and even survived a break in, where burglars stole everything in my home, including photo albums, personal items and everything in the kitchen fridge and cabinets when I was about 9 or 10 years old. It came with me when I was married, Jimmy had his sling chair from college and I had my little red chair. It’s served as a shelf, footstool, table, kitty chair, doll chair and of course my chair.
We just got through moving into a new place with two bedrooms, so Chloe could have her own room, so far she likes it a lot. During the move we decided to get rid of our computer chair as it was pretty much dead and we planned on buying a new one for our new place. It’s been two weeks in our new place and we still haven’t purchased a new computer chair, so guess what’s serving as a computer chair? My little red chair. I’m sure Chloe will eventually take my chair over, however, she must understand as long as mommy is alive it will be my little red chair. Should Chloe bless us with grandchildren it will be in their playroom at our house and when I go home to heaven Chloe can claim it.
Closing my eyes, a toy with a pull string and a teddy bear, leaving the good toys for the grandkids. Mommy said be humble.
