20 years ago, my Aunt Pat had this beautiful, elegant couch in her livingroom. I always loved it. I would tug on her sleeve and say "Don't ever get rid of it. But if you do, I want it!" She thought I was crazy. Every so often, perhaps every five years, I would remind her about that couch. "Don't get rid of it, Auntie!" I would plead with her. She really had no intention of getting rid of it, so I felt safe. But just a few weeks ago. She decided to get rid of it. I have been waiting 20 years..........(gentle smiles). It was delivered across 2 state lines to get it to me. It arrived on a Sunday afternoon and was set up on a Monday. I have been sleeping on it ever since. It is still in Mint condition. At first I told the children they were never allowed on it. "This is a family heirloom." I told them. A child would look at me with wide eyes and say, "What if we are sick?" ....... I snapped "then sleep in your bed where you belong!" Then I smiled warmly.

     Jim (my husband) came home from work and found Amy sitting on the floor in front of the couch. "Baby?" he asked. "Why don't you sit on the couch, honey?" She glanced at me. She didn't mention the fact that I had forbidden all the children from going near it!

    After a few hours, I lightened up...... I let the children enjoy it with me. But I had to put my foot down when it came to eating or drinking on it. They understood. And so for the past few days, Amy and I have been ill and have been sleeping on the couch and watching episode after episode of Little House on the Prairie.

    I am feeling a little better today. But when I tried to get on the couch, I actually fell on the floor...... Then I went to check on the laundry. I attempted to open the dryer door, but fell against it instead. "I think I'll go back and lay on Auntie's couch for a bit." I said and cuddled up in a nice blanket and fell asleep. Amy made me a batch of brownies and I am doing much better. No one could understand why I needed the brownies. I tried to explain that brownies were a required food group for me and that is why I had been so ill - a lack of brownies.