Mom's Bench
When it was time for Mom to move into an assisted living apartment, we had to look for a twin bed. I took her shopping and she tested out quite a few beds. We found a nice mattress, but still needed to locate the perfect headboard. After searching high and low for a very pretty headboard, we found the perfect one... it was made of metal and had some nice scroll detail.
Her whole bedroom was put together so beautifully. I found a pretty lamp and bedding and just did it all up nicely - wanting it to feel very homey for Mom.
After Mom passed away, I knew that I wanted that headboard somewhere in my house. I needed it. We have a fairly large backyard, so I started to think that maybe it would be perfect back there, but I just wasn't sure in what aspect. Then I realized that it would make the perfect back to a bench. I took the measurements and was constantly on the lookout for the bench that would look perfect with the headboard's dimension. Always carrying the little piece of paper around with me in my purse - I was prepared to measure that perfect bench.
A couple months had passed and I hadn't been thinking about it too much. I was in Border's Books during the time that they were closing all their stores. I talked in my head to Mom. I asked for her to just show me a sign that she is with me... that she is in my heart, or always near me. I looked for a book with her name in it - anywhere. I just wanted to see some sort of "sign"!! I was disheartened when not one thing showed up. I left the store disappointed and I felt a bit sad. Since the store was closing, their restroom was not available, so I went next door to HomeGoods. I figured that I would just run in to use the restroom and then head on home. The instant that I walked in the store, I saw the bench. It was as if it were made exactly for the headboard. It was made of a similar colored metal with rolled arms and no back, so I could completely picture it looking beautifully together. I (being a seamstress) opened my purse to get my tape measure. I so hoped that it would be a perfect fit, and it was... it was the exact size that I needed. I was completely beside myself.
I remember feeling a little sorry for myself because Mom wasn't there when I really needed her in Border's. She wasn't there showing me a sign when I asked for her to show me anything Alice, but then something amazing happened and I knew that she certainly was with me all the time, but that she would have to appear on her terms... not just when I beckoned. To this day, looking at that throne-like bench brings back such a flood of emotions. All good and happy!
The bocce ball score keeper gets to use the special bench.
