Dresser

Day 71: Dresser
Dear Mom:

Remember when you helped me restore Emma's room? You painted this old dresser gray, put some purple star knobs on the top drawers, and treated the brass hardware with a frost wash to soften the color. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, your kindness and your creativity. Thank you for caring.

Remember how miserable Sam was when we left that house and moved to Morton Avenue? He was only four years old, and cried and cried. You and I painted his new room together. We gave him blue walls with soccer balls and basketballs and baseballs, and a dinosaur light switch, because he loved balls and dinosaurs so. But he just kept missing his bright yellow room with the giraffes and the rocking chair, only two blocks away. He's almost sixteen now, and he still misses his old room.

Remember how tired you were when we finished painting? How you decided that was the last room you were ever going to decorate yourself?

The dresser has been in our attic - empty drawers and all - since Emma rebelled against WTP in middle school. I still have the hand-hooked rug. Christopher Robin and Piglet using a blanket as a trampoline, throwing Tigger up into the air.

Love you, Mom.

I don't like your sharp edges.
I don't like the inconsistency between the purple stars and brass hardware.
Your drawers are empty.
I don't need you any more.