Hurricane Milton turned our lives upside down—literally. When the storm hit, it wasn’t just a case of a few leaks or a power outage; it was a full-force tornado that attacked our home. The windows in the back of the house were sucked in by the sheer force of the wind, sending glass flying across the living room. The storm didn’t just shatter the glass; it shattered our sense of normalcy. Every piece of furniture in its path was covered in debris, dust, and rain. The lanai was ripped away, insulation hung from the ceiling like eerie decorations, and the entire back wall was breached.
In the days after the storm, as we walked through the mess, assessing the damage, the reality sank in—so much of what made our house feel like home was gone. The couch where we curled up to watch movies, the rug we had picked out so carefully, and the dining table that had hosted years of holiday meals were all destroyed. But perhaps the biggest heartbreak? My husband’s favorite recliner.
The Loss of a Simple Comfort
That recliner was his sanctuary. It was where he settled in at the end of a long day, remote in hand, ready to catch a game or an old movie. It had been a part of our home for years, molded perfectly to his frame after countless hours of use. After the storm, it was unrecognizable—glass shards embedded in the fabric, drenched in rain, and covered in the grime that had blown in through the broken windows. It wasn’t just a chair; it was a comfort, a familiar piece of our lives that had been violently ripped away.
We spent weeks dealing with insurance adjusters, contractors, and repair crews. The back wall needed to be rebuilt, new insulation installed, and the doors and windows remained boarded up as we waited for replacements. It felt like we were living in a construction zone, with dust settling on everything and the sound of hammers and saws replacing the once-peaceful hum of our daily routine.
Finding a New Normal – And a New Recliner
As repairs stretched on, we realized something: while we couldn’t fix everything at once, we could start small. We could reclaim bits of our home, one piece at a time. And that started with replacing the recliner.
After researching and testing out different options (because let’s be honest, when you lose a chair that’s been your go-to for years, not just any replacement will do), we found the Hulala Horace Lift Support Deluxe Power Recliner. It wasn’t just another chair; it was the upgrade we didn’t know we needed.
The moment it arrived, it felt like we had taken a small but significant step toward normalcy. This wasn’t just any recliner—it was designed for comfort and recovery. With its electric lift mechanism, it provided extra support for getting in and out with ease—a blessing after all the physical strain of dealing with post-storm clean-up.
One of the best features? Independent backrest and footrest controls. Whether my husband wanted to sit upright and watch TV or recline back with his feet up, it adjusted to whatever felt right in the moment. And let’s talk about the massage and heating functions—because after spending weeks dealing with stress, exhaustion, and endless decisions about home repairs, sinking into that chair and letting it work its magic felt like pure bliss.
A Corner of Comfort in the Chaos
Even though much of our home was still in recovery mode, having one space that felt like “before” made all the difference. Sitting in that recliner, TV remote in hand, my husband finally had a spot to unwind. And for me, it was a reminder that while storms can take away a lot, they can’t erase the feeling of home entirely. Home is built piece by piece, moment by moment.
The built-in USB and Type-C charging ports were another unexpected win—because when you’re dealing with contractors and paperwork, keeping devices charged without hunting for an outlet is a convenience you don’t realize you need until you have it. The storage pockets also came in handy, giving my husband a place to keep his book, glasses, and—let’s be honest—the stash of snacks he never admits to having.
Still on the Road to Recovery
We’re still in the thick of it. The boarded-up doors and windows remind us daily that we’re not back to normal yet. There are floors to be fixed, furniture to be replaced, and landscaping to be rebuilt. But at least, amidst all of that, we have one small win—a place to sit, relax, and feel like ourselves again.
If you’ve ever gone through something similar—a storm, a flood, or any disaster that upends your home—you know how overwhelming it can be. It’s easy to get caught up in the big things, the structural repairs, the insurance claims, the logistics. But don’t overlook the small comforts, the everyday things that make a house feel like home. Whether it’s a chair, a cozy blanket, or a favorite mug, reclaiming those pieces of normalcy can make all the difference.
The Hulala Horace Lift Support Deluxe Power Recliner gave us that—a slice of peace in the middle of the chaos. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
- For more information on this recliner, visit Hulala Home. Because sometimes, recovery starts with the simple act of sitting down and taking a deep breath.
