LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — I’m parting with my 1970s sofa and all the subtle imperfections underneath its glossy vinyl facade.  We met on a particularly warm Friday, and it was “like” at first sight — although I knew it wouldn’t last.

The dated burgundy hue was not particularly something I would have ordinarily picked out, it reminded me somewhat of the old sitcom “Happy Days” but with a particular sadness because of the film of grey dust resting upon it.  But I swiftly purchased it anyway in the midst of my general elation of finding a unique piece to fill the void in my current lack of comfort.  It fit quite well within the walls of my eclectic mix of vintage and modern design and even offered space for storage.  Huzzah!

On good days I would lay upon it reading, perhaps even take a quiet nap.  I would carry on long conversations with upon it friends while sitting cross-legged as light would flood through the nearby window pane.  Albeit, it wasn’t the most snuggly furnishing to warm up to — I was very forgiving.  As life took its toll over the course of our year together, it’s weary springs supported me, while tears flooded my eyelids and dropped into minuscule puddles.

It remained silent when I needed it to be, and it gave me peace.

But the springs had no give, and its gaudy demeanor began to stick out like a sore thumb, especially against the gleam of my ever-constant change of taste.  I wrestled with it as I couldn’t pretend that it provided a useful purpose for my comfort anymore.  Books I began reading with it became a short-lived feat while my work schedule kept me apart from it for long periods of time.  Days would pass by that I wouldn’t even provide the solitary thing an ounce attention, and that’s when I knew, it was time for a change and began to subconsciously hunt for a new sofa.

A new friend of mine walked into my living room exclaiming, ‘it looks like “That 70s Show” in here!’  Not exactly the finest moment for my dwelling space.  The outdated sofa needed to go. It was time to let it expire.  Letting it down easy wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do after all the time I had invested on it, so I threw it one last hurrah inviting friends over to watch fitting 70s inspired comedy.

Meanwhile, I’d found the sofa of my dreams, and yes, it was love at first sight.  Its smooth black leather was alluring and that’s when I realized my old 70s sofa was just a place holder for what was to come.  Not every sofa is the right one, rooms change and tastes evolve.  I suppose it’s time that I let my living room mature and refuse to settle for less snuggly.



mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com