My Recliner

21 years ago, Chris and I ventured out to find the ideal piece of furniture to match the light blue sofa that was the living room centerpiece in our Greenlake (Seattle) home.  Since I was still in medical school and we had a child on our way, we needed something economical, durable and practical.  Being the frugal individuals that we are, we thought a navy recliner with rocking capabilities would be just the right fit.  As we entered the Lazy Boy showroom, with the numerous choices available, we immediately were drawn to one that fit our criteria.  Upon choosing our selection, the salesman promptly offered to Fabricoat it (which guaranteed protection from spills and stains) at an additional cost.  Normally, Chris and I would be skeptical of such glorious claims but knowing that we would soon have little critters crawling around, we elected to add the Fabricoat.  This was probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

We promptly put our recliner to test when feeding baby Kimberly.  The recliner became the most convenient place to give Kim her bottle of milk, which she quickly downed.  After finishing her bottle, we would burp her and then read a book, trying to assure that she remained upright for at least 20-30 minutes after her meal.  As happily as she downed her milk, however, it rapidly came up and out, all over us and our lovely recliner.  Amazingly, the recliner cleaned up nicely and sure enough, never revealed the punishment it endured. 

Many a picture was taken on the recliner.  We generated pictures with Kim and Scott together as toddlers, pictures of relatives holding our children, pictures of us and our babies taking a rest after a long day and even the occasional selfie.  When returning from a long night of call, I would often rest with the footrest outstretched for a few moments of shuteye.  On other nights, when I returned home, the kids would grab a book and we’d sit together and read, while rocking in the recliner. 

The 3 kids in the recliner, holding a rug hooked by their Great Grandmother, Iola Platz.

As the years progressed and the kids got older, the recliner became “mom’s recliner”, as it was typically where I’d land after a long day of work.  If we watched a movie or played a Wii or Xbox game, mom would be sitting in the recliner while everyone else found a place on the floor or sofa.  Many teenage conversations occurred and many papers/homework were reviewed and revised while sitting in my recliner.  After the kids drifted off to bed, the recliner became the place where I’d finish off my work for the day – a nice, comfortable, cozy location for reading or working on the laptop.  My recliner has endured rough housing, spills, and battles, while generating many memories. 

Now, my recliner is my respite.  It is where I sit, rock or lay when I don’t have the energy to do anything else.  When I’m nauseated, I turn to my recliner for comfort.  And it still never fails me.  As I type, I am in my recliner.  Some of my greatest thoughts and conversations have occurred in this ever-sturdy chair.  And despite all that it’s been through, it remains as beautiful to me as ever.  You would never guess that it is 21 years old and while our first sofa has since been replaced, this rocker remains.   I’m sure there will come a day when the recliner will be retired, but until then, I hold on to all that it represents.  Much like the fabric of our lives, it has stayed true to its color, endured the test of time, and created fabulous memories along the way.  Although it is just a piece of furniture, it remains a cozy, safe and sturdy place for me to find comfort and rest. 

Cheering on the Seahawks in my recliner during the playoffs. 

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes...including you." ~ Anne Lamott