GRANDPA'S CHAIR

GRANDPA’S CHAIR

One day as we visited Grandpa and saw him sitting there

we thought it was probably the right time to buy him a new chair.

He’s sat in that one forever…when he moves around…it creaks

the cushions are uneven…and one arm rest is weak.

The stitching barely holds together…not much if it remains

and where Grandpa loves to lay his head…is permanently stained.

It’s time for a new one, we all thought, and we were so excited

knowing Grandpa was going to love it…knowing he would be delighted.

But it didn’t go quite as we expected…I guess our thinking was a little out of whack

because when he presented it to Grandpa…he said, “Thanks…but take it back.”

Then Grandpa smiled at the lot of us…and after letting out a sigh

sat back in his old chair and explained his reasons why.

This is the chair I was sitting in when you all first came to visit me.

This is where I held each one of you…where I bounced you on my knee.

This is where we watched TV together…where I put you on my lap

where after a day of playing whatever game you wanted…we’d sit down and take a nap.

This is where I’ve sat each Christmas watching the magic taking place

From here I’ve watched you all grow up…with a smile on my face 

From here I’ve smiled at your grandma…and wondered how she found a way

as we have both grown older…to look more beautiful every day…

Grandpa went on for a long time…(as Grandpa often would)

and well before he finished…we all understood.

So the next day we sat his new chair by the road with gentleness and care…

FREE, the note read, 

with one condition…

it must become a Grandpa chair.