Only a Chair

“It’s only a chair,” she said. “And it’s old and too big and dark for your new apartment.” I looked again at the chair. It IS old, though not an antique, and it’s been with me all my life in every house where I have lived. It was my grandmother’s. Made of sturdy dark mahogany, it has gracefully curved arms with claw curls at the ends. The back is high with a panel shaped like a lute, The generous seat is slightly shaped each side of the middle to make it very comfortable. The front legs also curve out from the seat, then back, and end in club feet. When I look at my chair It brings to mind my past homes, dear people long gone, births, graduations, weddings Christmases, the love and joy. All the memories flood back. I considered my answer, then said to my daughter. “Well, it’s MY very old, dark, too big mahogany chair, and I think it’s beautiful, so I’m going to keep it!’