The Little Red Chair

 9/17/2020

I'm sure that most, if not all, of you remember when Benjamin came into our lives. Yes, it's been 12 years, and he and I can no longer sit in the same chair. I also tell him, it's his "fault"! that we don't fit in the chair together. Benjamin, finds this very funny, as do I.

Today, I'm donating the little red chair. I have held onto this little chair, because for years, Benjamin had started up a grocery store, with his play food, sitting on the little red chair. 

I had different rules of playing on my coffee table, when the boys were growing up. When Benjamin started playing on the table, I didn't even mind the scratches. Wood furniture can easily be sanded, etc. Benjamin had so much fun playing "imagination" games. During the game, he would give me a hamburger patty (yes, he had fake food). At that point, I could either accept or reject his food offering. For the fun of it, I generally rejected the food he was trying to sell to me!

And, then there's the little red chair. A few weeks ago, I put a lot of Benjamin's toys, that he has outgrown. I will say, that it was easier for him, than for me. I knew that the toys, etc., he wasn't emotionally invested in them. He went through the two plastic bags, and saved I think, only four things. Jeff and I took the unwanted items back home, to donate to a child, who would love to have something new to play with.

The cleansing of toys, if you will, didn't emotionally (okay, okay), did bother me a lot. After most of the toys were given away, Once the toys were packed up, it had a dramatic effect on Benjamin's spare room. That room, which is so tidy, could be used by Benjamin and/or Elly. The other spare room is the room, where at the moment, I try on clothes, and decide whether that particular piece of clothing is tooooooo big for me now. And, then there were a few clothes, that I, at the moment, could wear, but it would be a tight fit!

Benjamin, had in the bedroom that I will his, had a very cute, yellow and red tiny bookcase. All of his books, fit nicely on the shelves. And, over time I added books to the bookcase.

Yesterday, I boxed up all of his books, all of which were/are for a younger child. I'm keeping the box in our basement. There may be a time in the future, when Benjamin has a child. And, then he could read the Bernstein books, which he loved very much.

I know when it's time to let go, but does it have to be right now? Perhaps, I should wait until next year. The correct answer? Yes, I must let go of some things that I'm emotionally attached to. That being said, I'm emotionally attached to everything I get.

Yesterday, Jeff and I received a very nice card from Elly, wishing us a "Happy Grandparents" day. I knew, somewhere in the back of my head, that there was such a day, but have never given it much thought. Elly's card sits on the mantel, so Jeff and I can enjoy looking at this very pretty card. Thank you Elly, for thinking of Jeff and I.

Okay, putting off the subject of the Little Red Chair, and putting out for a donation, does not make me happy. If you know me well, and I think most of you do, then you know that as I write this, I have started to cry. I haven't told Benjamin that the little red chair is gone, but the truth of the matter is, he's too big to sit in the Little Red Chair. When the chair is picked up this morning, it will feel, at least to me, that the Little Red Chair, while going to a small child, will make them happy. And, for all the happiness the Little Red Chair, will bring to another child makes for a good feeling.

And, then there's my feelings. My feelings and emotions run high. I date my cards, although knowing this, Wendy put the date on the card already. Thank you Wendy.

In my head, giving away the Little Red Chair, is the right thing to do. But, to be truthful, I am very sad to let this chair go. I guess it might have something to do with, by donating the Little Red Chair, I must move on. But, I don't want to.😢

I just looked outside to see if Purple Heart had been by this morning. There is still time, to bring back inside the Little Red Chair. As much as I would love to do that, I know it's the right time to let go. 

My friends tell me, all the time, that I'm too attached to the cards I receive, as well as the teeny little Crocs wore to playschool. I still have, in one of my glass cases, a pair of my baby shoes! The shoes are made out of flannel, yellow and white. To ensure that these little shoes don't start to sag, I put tissue paper inside. These little shoes or booties, are now approximately 70 years old, and still I keep them. I know that when I'm gone, the boys will or should have an estate sale to sell all of my glass pieces - and I have a lot!  What can I say? Here's a picture of a similar Little Red Chair.

Enjoy your day, and I know you're looking forward to the weekend. I know that I did, when I was working.

Be safe.

 

P