Over a decade I told myself when my kids are old enough, I'll buy a comfy seat for the living room.
About a week ago I decided the time had come.
There was a special on a couch I'd been looking at online and there was money in my bank account.
So I made the order.
The couch arrived last Friday and it sat outside until Saturday, when there were enough hands to help move it inside.
We took off the packaging and screwed in the legs, then placed it where the old futon had been.
Everyone agreed it was an improvement.
Then I made lunch and started reading a book.
Soon I was interrupted by noise in the living room and realised there was panic.
It turned out someone had spilled soft drink on my new couch.
One of the kids was wiping a spot with a wet washcloth.
I yelled for a towel and then felt myself getting angry.
"How is it that it took less than two hours for one of you to spill something on my new couch?!"
They agreed they were both to blame and that they were sorry.
"Didn't I say not to eat or drink on the couch?!"
They agreed I had said not to consume any food or liquids on the couch.
"Seriously! You're idiots!"
They didn't agree but quickly disappeared to their rooms.
It didn't take long for me to clean the drink off.
Later that night, after I'd sat on the new couch and watched a movie, I called the kids into the living room.
"I'm sorry I got angry with you earlier."
They said they understood.
"I can get always another new couch but I want you to know that I love you."
They said they loved me too and we sat on the couch together.
"You don't have to apologise," one of them began.
"Yes, I do," I said. "It's important for me to show you that being angry is temporary."
