Nana's favorite chair

The blue plush armchair, my Nana's favorite chair, sat in prominent location in the tiny room. Nana would sit for hours in this chair in the latter years of her life. As she sat in this chair, it was as if she transformed into a queen. She would occasionally bark order at me to get her something to drink or to find her a book on the shelf.

One of my last memories of her sitting in the chair happened when I provided a impromptu mini fashion show for her. Our church was celebrating our 175th anniversary and members were encouraged to dress up in clothes from era's past. Having played in her closet as a child, I remembered fingering the fabric of long dresses and polyester pants and shirts as I imagined myself in a faraway land. Rummaging through her closet upstairs, I rediscovered her treasure trove of goodies. Muumuus and faded sundresses lined the second rack of the closet. Each fit me perfectly.

As I modeled the clothes, she laughed while telling memories of moments long past that the clothes triggered. As she sat like a queen on her throne, she marveled at how life had passed so quickly for her.

After that day, Nana seemed to deteriorate quickly. Her legs seemed to stop carrying her as steadily, and she remained on her throne more frequently. But, like a true queen, even in her last days of life, every hair was in place, a tissue was readily accessible, and a tube of lipstick was within arm's reach.