redecorating

It’s shocking how noticeable things are in their absence. It’s much like a table leg that is suddenly gone. Ones awareness of it may have previously been limited to a bruised knee or a stubbed toe and a mild sense of irritation but when it’s gone a whole new level of appreciation occurs. They are clearly structurally necessary. Brothers are like this.

Then there are the things more clearly appreciated on a day to day basis, even if only vaguely. Things like comfortable chairs or a favorite pillow. When they’re gone it seems impossible to quite get comfortable. These are the girlfriends that know. They know when what is needed is a five minute time out and a shoulder to lean on while you sniffle a little and get a grip on yourself. They know that the spa is the only answer for some types of stress and that coffee cures all and when it doesn’t sushi will. It is only when seeking that comfort and not finding it does it become clear what has been lost.

At first it may not be apparent what is missing. At first it may seem like everything is covered. That there are new tables and chairs to be found everywhere and that it’s not such a big deal as all that. However it doesn’t take long to realize that while there may be many comfortable chairs in this world finding a chair that supports your back just so and hits your neck in just the right place is a lot harder than it seems. And for a good solid oak table, you can’t just run to Ikea for a new leg. It’s just not structurally sound and it will invariably be the wrong length so the table will be wobbly.

Of course people aren’t furniture. They cannot be replaced, just missed. On the plus side though there is room enough in our lives for limitless numbers of people whereas there are only so many chairs that you can fit in an apartment before walking becomes very difficult.