Goodbye Bed Frame

I had my first apartment when I was 18. A small, newly renovated efficiency. One big room. Most of it was carpeted except for the kitchen area. Shared bathroom with the occupant in the other efficiency. Yuck. I know. However, given that this was nearly 25 years ago when I was young and very seldom had 2 pennies to rub together, it was home. I had a few kitchen essentials, a tattered lounge chair and a bed that consisted of 2 mattresses on the floor.

Back then, that bothered me. Not having a bed frame. I don't know why. I still don't. The 2 mattresses were comfortable and served their purpose, however, I made a promise to myself while residing there. This would be the first and last time I would be without a bed frame.

I kept that promise despite being continuously baffled at the significance of a bed frame. Well, that is, until today.

I was sprawled out on the bed with all 3 kids. Snuggles. Belly rubs. Carrots. Lobo has a tendency to just plop down, get up, and move around quickly. He's normally careful about staying away from the edge of the bed. Not tonight. He was too close to the edge and fell off. It happened within a split second. Before my reflex to reach out and grab kicked in.

Thankfully, he landed on all 3 legs. Almost. His landing was clumsy and his single hind leg gave out. He didn't wipe out entirely, but it was close. Lobo was fine. Seconds later he ran through the kitchen, to the living room to fetch a bone, and run back to the bedroom.

Lisa and I just looked at each other. That was too close for our comfort level.

A few hours later, Lisa was hauling the bed frame to the basement. I stood in the doorway of the bedroom and there it was. Our 2 mattresses on the floor.

Much to my surprise, it didn't bother me. After almost 25 years of honoring my promise, I had to break it. And I was okay with that. When it involves the safety of our kids, that trumps all.

Later in the evening, I had to rewrite my list-of-stuff-we-kinda-sort-of-need. Instead of "king size bed" I changed it to "king size platform bed."