of love and longing

I have been thinking about this rocking chair for almost half a year.  This very functional and well cared for old chair is my dad.  Not complicated, but beautiful, functional and elegant.  Well cared for by my mother, who refinished it's surface, created a cushion for it's seat and adorned it's back.

My mother has been loving and caring for my father for 52 years.  She has supported him emotionally and physically.  She has entertained and irritated him, fed his soul and body, laughed and cried with him, encouraged and argued with him and always been by his side.

I am proud of my mother.  There have been times when I know she would have been a different person if she hadn't chosen to spend her life with a husband and as a mother.  And I hope, in the final analysis, she is happy with her life and choices.  Because I sure appreciate her sacrifices and commitment.

She maintained a fine chair.