The Couch

Our floral couch sat in the living room for more than 25 years. We hadn't had it for too long when we celebrated November birthdays in 2000. That birthday party was special because it was Victoria's first birthday with us, her new forever family. She had lived in our house permanently for exactly one week. The couch was a perfect spot for a picture to commemorate the day.

Bill's mother, Beth, was celebrating her 74th birthday that day,
while Victoria was turning five years old, and Bill had just turned 46. 

I remember going shopping for a new couch for the family room, sometime in the late 1990s. I didn't expect to be able to buy a new living room couch, too, but the furniture store was having a fantastic sale. So we bought a new couch for the family room, as we had intended, and a beautiful, floral couch for the living room—two for the price of one. That family room couch served us well, and was replaced at least a decade ago. The living room couch wasn't used nearly as much, so it is still in good condition. 

After the floral couch was delivered, I was so glad to return the borrowed, scratchy, hot pink, 1950s couch to Bill's brother, Jim, who had lent it to us soon after we moved into our much bigger house in 1995. He just returned that old couch to the second floor of his business building, where it had been stored for decades. We had been grateful we had something to sit on while we waited to afford a brand new couch, but we were also glad to replace it with something that we could choose for ourselves--one that wasn't hot pink!

Our stylish, new couch was rather old fashioned in appearance, so it coordinated well with our antique piano and pump organ. And it was so comfortable! It soon became the backdrop for a wealth of family pictures. But now, after so many years, I am more than ready for something new. 

It was only fitting, though, that we should take some farewell photos before we passed the couch on to a young couple who were excited to replace the lawn chairs that had provided the only seating in their new home.

25 years later, Victoria just celebrated another birthday.
Lucy and Ruthie, who is about to turn five, were happy to pose with her for a final picture or two.
How time flies!

Jackson will miss this couch, maybe more than anyone else. It has been his favorite napping spot for several years.

The grandchildren had gone home by the time the old couch was picked up and our new couch and loveseat were delivered, an hour or two later. The new furniture is comfortable. They lighten up the room nicely. I imagine that they will see their fair share of family photos--and nappers--in the years to come.

Jackson seems to be adjusting well to the new couch.


For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1


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