During my sabbatical trip last summer, I bought a zero-gravity lounge chair from Cabelas (Billings, MT). My other chair was uncomfortable, the bed in my camper was awful, and I ached from head-to-toe. I needed to solve those problems so I could sleep in the camper and lounge outdoors during the day,  for 6 weeks.

I left my remote camping spot in the Big Horn Mountains (WY), tossed my awful mattress in a dumpster, and drove to the nearest Cabelas. I bought a large, comfy sleeping pad and the fabulous chair, which solved all my issues. Each day and each evening afterwards,  I sat in the lounge chair and slept on the pad in great comfort

When I was ready for a break from hiking, wandering, or writing, I stretched out in the chair. From there, I observed birds, deer, intricate cloud formations.  I heard crows scream at each other across the meadows. I sometimes set up under a tall tree, and from the fully reclined position I observed giant spider webs, bugs, and pine cones along the tree branches. Other times, I lounged near a lake and watched fishermen, boaters, and swimmers. I listened to exuberant kids playing in the water and along the shoreline. One of my best memories involved watching majestic storm clouds float by one evening, at dusk.

When I moved to North Dakota, the parsonage needed painting and new flooring so I moved into the basement. I did not want to haul regular furniture downstairs, so I used that lounge chair as my primary “sitting-place”.  When I moved upstairs, the chair remained in the basement-until a few days ago, when I set it on the deck.

While he spring melt has started and temperatures are rising, it is not quite deck-sitting weather. However, last evening, after a 12-hour work day, I saw the chair and could not resist lounge mode. Memories of the sabbatical trip and the smells of the outdoors flooded my brain. I heard the crows again and felt the breezes. As I lounged, the night crept in and the temperatures fell, but I was riveted to the chair, not wanting to let go of the peaceful feeling.

This morning, I think about how we associate memories, emotional states, and experiences of the senses with material objects. Sights, smells, sounds and emotions all anchor memories in our brain.  When I see an old record player, I immediately think about my teen years. When I see a Volkswagen, I think about learning to drive. When I see a station wagon, I remember raising my son. And now, when I see and/or sit in my lounge chair I think about a peaceful time in my recent past. I immediately relax and my senses go on alert.

Of course, this association of memories with objects can bring up painful memories as well. I had my fair share of negative memory associations and learned that EMDR therapy can break those linkages. It worked wonders for me and now I cherish all the positive associations in my life.

So, cheers to the zero-gravity lounge chair and all the relaxation it will bring this summer. Perhaps I will keep it set up next winter so I can relive all the adventures of the coming season.

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