Mending




This is my son's nigh nigh. He is 7. All my children had a special blanket and so did I. Okay fine I still have mine, its under my bed safety tucked away because like my children's it is tattered and torn and loved.

I know that some feel that a child should let go of these special items but I just do not think it is that big of a deal. All four of my kids clamored on to a special blanket and I let them. It was routine, "get your nigh nigh its time to rest". They are torn and stained and worn from tears and joy, they were present when I was away and they kept us both warm when we rocked at night. They helped boo-boo's feel better and tummy aches seem not so bad. To me they are a beautiful symbol of childhood and well loved, they are comfort to them long after I have tucked them in.
Ash is the only one of the four who faithfully gets his each night and the only one I still mend. If I could find that fabric I would make him another. But really, he had two and they both look the same. They were a baby gift; one for him and his brother. Like many things Ash claimed both and Nolan found another. Nolan has one he really likes but he also has replacements that work just fine for him. Ash has the two and is faithful to them. So I mend, fixing the blanket, a tribute to the many times the blanket itself helped mend my child. Hoping they will hold out a little longer, as I hold on to the precious childhood of my youngest children; because I know too well, soon that too will be but a memory.

Comments

Gretchen said…
I don't see a problem with keeping a small remnant of our childhood. The world is hard enough without stripping our children of a little bit of comfort.
Anina said…
How wonderful! Rest assured. My 14-year old still slept with stuffed animals until last year. (Don't tell him I told)
Sarah and Jack said…
Jack's blanket is the "dandy." I have plans to frame a small piece of it with a picture of him holding it when he is done with it.

(Although, I suspect him being done with it is a long time off.)
jessica said…
Precious! My brother-in-law asked me to try to fix up his favorite blanket, but it was beyond repair - sad!
Linda said…
Aww, how sweet. I had a special blankee, too. My "planket". My grandmother made it for me and it was originally a crocheted ripple stitch pink, blue and white stripe. I only remember it a sort of funky shade of gray with big holes in it, but I loved it just the same. If only life's problems could be solved by a favorite blanket these days.... Let them hold on to their childhood as long as they can. The days are so fleeting.
Mom2fur said…
My youngest son had a bear he carried everywhere, named "Beary." I don't know how old he was when he gave him up, but it wasn't on my part. I agree...it's no big deal. My boys had pacifiers until they were older than three (gasp!) and my daughter still has her first teddy bear sitting on her bed...Butter Bear is 20 years old now! I just don't get these 'experts' who insist a kid must give up a pacifier or a lovie at 'such-and-such age'. So I say, good for you, mom!
Oh, and thanks for the comment on the little dress. I used to dress Katherine in frilly things, too!
Anonymous said…
Such a sweet sweet post, Natasha, and such a gorgeous picture of your babes! BTW - for some reason when I respond to your comments, they always bounce back to me. Just so, you know, I read them and they make me smile :-)
Becca said…
Beautiful post. One time, I was babysitting and washed the child's little blankie. I couldn't figure out why she was crying so inconsolably...so sweet.
Mom2fur said…
Hey, Natasha! Your package went out today, so you should have it by Monday. Hope you enjoy it!
Dee Light said…
What a wondrful post!!! Children are such a blessing and they grow up so fast!!!
LA said…
So sweet! I still have my "dee dee". It was recovered often over the years by my grandmother and then friends. Now it is put away safe and sound. My kids, too, have special sleep items.

LA xo