sensical nonsense

Why in the world did she take that picture? We’ve wondered that a thousand times and have our fair share of photos with people cropped right across the forehead. Apparently, Grandma loved taking pictures, but no one actually needed the tops of their heads included. It was always best to have a car, tree or dog in the picture too. 

Then there are those family photos that just make us wonder what in the world they were doing. For us, it all started with the 1960’s citron colored loveseat that sat in our living room. 

This was Grandma’s loveseat. She bought it brand new in 1968. I know because I still have the receipt. 

Grandma’s loveseat was the centerpiece of her living room and by the time we moved in, it was the only place we could sit to talk with her. It seems her hearing aids limited your speaking location to the right side of the loveseat about 2 feet from Grandma. We listened to her stories and anecdotes while sitting on that loveseat. We watched as visitors sat there telling her about their families and the most current town news. We helped her straighten the arm covers almost daily. She was persistent about keeping that loveseat in mint condition. 

Mint condition loveseats and small children can’t coexist - at least not in our house. After Grandma passed away the arms and cushions started to show wear, but I wasn’t ready to part with the loveseat. It wasn’t comfortable but it was important to me and Grandma. We moved it to our bedroom for the next few years where it eventually became a clothes rack. It was time for it to go. 

This loveseat has great memories, but it is simply not welcoming. Have you ever sat on a child’s footstool? You know the feeling when your knees are almost touching your forehead? Yeah, that’s our loveseat. It feels like you are sitting on the floor suspended by a thin cushion that should have seen the back of a trash truck at least thirty years ago. 

As much as we dislike the feel of that uncomfortable iconic loveseat, it has taken me a long time to part with it. But the day finally came. I was insistent that we get the perfect family picture of everyone piled on that loveseat. Except that no one was home. And it really needed to leave. It had traveled from our bedroom and was in a holding pattern in our daughter’s room. Imagine having a beautiful modern black and white bedroom with a 52 year-old loveseat sitting in it. Clearly, it wasn’t her style. But I was determined to save this family memory. 

Out the door the loveseat went. And right into the back of the truck to go to the end of the driveway. But I took my picture. I would at least get a photo to save the memory and bewilder future generations. Because that’s what Grandma and Pop did to us. 

Just A Man In A Truck On A Loveseat

Notice how my husband, Bryce wasn’t sitting the whole way back? It’s because the loveseat would swallow him and his knees would be close to his face!

 I guarantee, when the day comes, my great grandkids will look at their great grandpa in the back of that truck and say, “Why is Pop sitting on a loveseat in the back of the pick-up? He looks a tad grumpy. Why in the world did Grandma take this picture?” 

They may never know, but let me explain why. The loveseat, once an important part of our household, is sitting by the curb. It has been saturated with rain, covered in several inches of snow and the cushions are now frozen solid as it awaits the trash truck. But we will still have this absurd picture to share the memory. 

How about you? Are your sensical nonsensical family memories worth leaving for the next generation to discover? I hope so!

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody