There's What You Have, and There's What You Do With It

A few years ago, my parents gave us two steamer chairs for our backyard. Until yesterday, those chairs were just chairs.

Then Katie and I settled into them to read, enjoy the sun and relax. After we were there awhile, we started chatting about stuff.

About what Katie wants to be when she grows up -- a veterinarian so when she grows up she can bring Jasper to work with her.
About what kind of animals she wants to take care of -- big dogs and kittens.
About what first grade will be like next year -- she's a little nervous about eating lunch in the cafeteria every day with the big kids.
About Jack leaving their elementary school next year -- she's sad.
About how she likes Andie's friends who were visiting for a study party in the kitchen -- they're nice and they like her skirt.
About what she wants for dinner -- popsicles.

Now those chairs aren't just chairs -- they hold the memory of a fun afternoon when I forgot all about the housekeeping, email and the phone, and lost myself in the world of a five year old. And when I got so lost in Katie's thoughts that I now have a raging sunburn.