Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Sticky-back Chair Saga

Okay, saga may be a bit misleading. It's more like a "blip". Still, it's something that has stuck with me all these years...

Long, long ago, light years from the present, I was in the Young Women's presidency at church. In our ward was a young mother with three beautiful girls and a 4th expected any day. She was huge. She was exhausted. She needed help.

The YW president, being a mother herself, recognized the signs and planned a surprise service project wherein the husband would take his wife on a much needed date while part of the Young Women babysat and the rest of us picked up and scoured their home. I was in charge of the kitchen/dining area. I really don't remember much from that night. What I do remember is after I had wiped the table and was pushing the chairs back in, my hands literally stuck to the wood. Eewww! It was totally gross. And how in the world did the backs of those chairs get sooo sticky? I didn't recognize then how blessed that sister was.

Back then I wasn't 3-kids-deep in mess. Now I understand. I get it. I have actually become the Sticky-back chair lady. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Which reminds me of a time not so long ago when a colleague (that makes us sound old doesn't it?) of Ryan's was coming for dinner with his wife. Forget the sticky-back chairs. The upholstery was covered in what appeared to be a progressive dinner of sorts. Ryan set to scrubbing the chairs. Which left them quite damp so he set them by the fire to dry. By the time our guests arrived, the chairs looked much more presentable. By the time our guests left, their fannies were a little wet from sitting on the freshly laundered seats. Well, at least they weren't stuck to the chairs.

This next piece has nothing to do with chairs or stickiness. But I still wanted to share it.

On Sunday our primary kids were learning the hymn "How Firm a Foundation". I love this song. As we got to the second verse we went over the lyrics and my eyes just welled up with tears as the spirit confirmed the truthfulness of the words. It says, “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

I love it! I know the Lord strengthens and upholds each of us as we try to do the things that are required of us.

7 comments:

Melissa said...

I LOVE that verse!!! It is one of my very favorites. I am so the sticky-chair-back lady!!!! AHHHH! It drives me crazy. But, you are absolutely right...how blessed we are! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Thanks for the reminder.

InkMom said...

I have had the very same moment with the very same hymn. I love it.

And I, too, am the sticky-chair-back lady. Maybe that's what we should call our little girls' night out group!

I have recently discovered, though, that if I pay my kids $.50 and hand them each a clorox wipe, they do a pretty darn good job of de-stickifying my chairs. At least, a better job than nothing at all!

Gallup Family said...

Thanks for the little reminder of Heavenly Father's love for us. I've been having a bit of a difficult time lately trying to get up and around. It seems like everyday is a new ailment that tries to wipe me out. I know that it's through His love and strength that he provides that I am able to get up and take care of the kids and house while Jared brings home the bacon. Thanks, dest :)
And I am also the sticky-back chair lady too. I think I might use InkMom's suggestion though and see if the kids can help out with a Clorox wipe :)

Unknown said...

Inkmom, that clorox wipe idea is brilliant! I think I called your sis a genius in her last post. Must run in the family!

Heather said...

I am totally with you on this. Just last Friday I gave my chairs a good scrub down and I noticed on Tuesday they looked like I didn't do anything to them! I only have one child I can only imagine what is going to happen with more! I am just happy to know that it isn't just me that can't seem to keep nice looking chairs.

Lew said...

Love this story and I am SO that lady too. All I know is that your house never appears to be "sticky" and it is always very warm and comfortable. I love you, Dest!!

Anonymous said...

Great story only a mom would understand. :-) I have, upon occasion stuck to my kitchen floor.

Thanks for sharing.