as i review the possessions in my house i realize there are criteria that are playing unofficially in my mind as to whether i will keep an item or pass it on. details of the history of these pieces come into focus; some items are easy to let go of; others hold a special place in my heart. this particular chair came into my life by accident. my dad and my 12 year old self were at an auction; the entire contents of the house were being sold; no children had lived in this family so my main interest in this event was to spend time with my dad and to marvel at the skill and song of the auctioneer. the annotation of what each item was and how it might be needed in the buyer's life was witty and playful. if i remember correctly, this chair just "needed a little fixin!". when the auctioneer looked my way i intended to smile a "hello" but must have added a slight nod as the cry rang out "sold to the young lady right here in the front row!" the item was mine! i had no real interest in this piece of furniture but was thrilled to be caught up in the excitement of the experience! the chair was green; the bright, dirty green, painted year after year, that only a spare kitchen chair could be. the seat, long ago broken, was wound with remnants of cloth and padding to allow it to serve its function. my dad paid to check us out and i giggled as we left the auction; me with my "purchase", my dad with a few "new" tools. my mom found the story amusing but certainly was not about to allow that chair into her house! the excitement of the accidental bidding over, i soon forgot about the chair. my dad being the resourceful, practical man he was, took it upon himself to make the chair functional. it is not clear to me now if it was my birthday or christmas when my dad presented me this lovely wooden chair with a carved rose in the curve of the back. this detail was indistinguishable with the layers of paint that had come to coat this piece throughout its life. the seat had been caned and the initial purchase bore little resemblance to the finished product. this piece became my desk chair then, and has held places of distinction in the homes i have created throughout the years.there is not a time when i look at this salvaged chair that i do not remember my dad. the love and lessons he conveyed with this gift continue to influence my life style even now. this chair is a keeper.
