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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

Couch shopping because sometimes you gotta know when to say when

November 26, 2016 by Kate Mayer 10 Comments

Couch shopping for new family memoriesWe took the floor sample right off the floor in a department store, Boscov’s I think it was, in the suburbs of Cleveland, and had that couch delivered to its new family the very same day.

It was beautiful, fun and bright flowers of hope and sunshine, to hug and hold our little family for years to come. This couch was the first new piece of furniture we ever owned, with most, if not all of our furnishings coming from flea markets, auctions, and hand-me-downs from generous parents and down-sizing neighbors.

But this was different, brand new except for the public masses of asses that sat on it in the department store in the greater Cleveland area.

The couch was about $700 – a fortune for a young family, three kids under the age of 5 and one in the works.

That was three dogs, two houses, several cars, six proms, and – gulp – 19 years ago.

What is the life expectancy for a couch?

This couch has seen it all and withstood early walkers, spit up, leaky breasts, projectile vomiters, snow-day fort building, Sunday suppers, Late Night with David Letterman/Jon Stewart/Samantha Bee, a hundred or so parties, spilled guac, sangria, greasy popcorn fingers, coffee, snot, SAT college prep, prayers and puke, blown backs, broken knees and broken arms, red wine, lo mein, and juice boxes and goldfish.

The stories that could be told in the crevices and cushioned archaeological layers of this well-loved, well-worn, devoted and dedicated family couch.

And it is still standing.

The life expectency of a couchThis couch is soaked with tears of grief, snot blowing happiness, Christmas mornings, and late night teenage dates. Break ups and make-ups, football game celebrations and snoozes, fights and fannies.

And still it is standing.

It coddled dying dads, birthday party revelers, grieving friends, and giddy high schoolers. It mobilized the masses to change the world. Dogs were snuggled, tears were dried, laughs were snorted.

Still.

We went couch shopping today.

Because 19 years ago, a floor sample from a sub-par department store in middle America has stood the test of time, but that time has come, and now, despite the memories hidden away deep in the cushions and melted into the stress fractures from flips flipped and fights fought, the time has come.

We went couch shopping today.

Yet we came home empty-handed, because sometimes old and haggard is too difficult to say goodbye to when you’re not ready to let go of something that held something so close for so long.

*

NaBloPoMo National Blog Posting Month. Thanks for sticking with me.


Black Friday shopping for non-shoppers who want to make their family happy
The long good-bye when college kids come home

Comments

  1. Gabi Coatsworh says

    November 26, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    You’ve immortalized that couch now. So maybe you can let it go…

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      November 27, 2016 at 9:53 am

      As soon as we can!

      Reply
  2. Shari Eberts says

    January 17, 2017 at 10:02 am

    So much tied up in that piece of furniture. Take your time letting it go. Maybe try shifting it to another room. Baby steps. : )

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      Baby steps indeed!

      Reply
  3. Beth says

    January 17, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    We recently downsized and had to get rid of a few pieces but there is a table from my husband’s parents that has lived through two families of dinners, homework, love, loss, celebrations and tears. It’s worn but we just couldn’t pass it on.

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Can’t replace the memories! Write it down!

      Reply
  4. Nicola Kentisbeer says

    May 11, 2017 at 10:04 am

    It still looks in great condition Kate. I totally get you here but equally when the time comes, new sofa, new memories and at some point more littles! Thanks for sharing with #tweensteensbeyond

    Reply
  5. Sharon Parry says

    May 12, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    Ahh if only couches could talk. It sounds like an old friend – let it hang around for a little while longer! Loved this post, thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond

    Reply
  6. Jo - Mother of Teenagers says

    May 15, 2017 at 3:37 am

    My parents were visiting this weekend and they are in the process of downsizing and there ensued a big debate about their couch which they have had since I was in my teens. My father is desperately trying to convince my mother to hang onto it for just a few more years, convinced that nothing can match it for comfort and durability – and memories of course. It is a like a member of the family. Good luck with your search! #TweensTeensBeyond

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      May 15, 2017 at 10:41 am

      good luck to your dad! I know what he’s trying to hold onto!

      Reply

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About Kathryn Mayer

CT writer humorist activist kathryn mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (also known by Kathy and Kate), is a writer, humorist, and activist writing out loud with humor and grace about the little moments of life with big ripples, including parenting, social issues, midlife, and, sigh, gun violence prevention. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of the Year from SheKnows/BlogHer, named Best … Read More Here...

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