blankie

Driving the gals around town yesterday afternoon to get a few things done, I happened to look back at a stoplight and see Gill grab a hold of Bela's blankie, stick her thumb in her mouth (which she rarely does), and take a deep long sniff.

Yes. At almost 9 years old, Bela still adores her blankie. I don't think she's gone a single night in her life without it. Crocheted by Aunt Joan over 8 years ago, it's looking a little faded and worn.

But she loves it. She loves it so much that her little sister Gillian wants to love it too. Of course, Gilli has her own blanket by Aunt Joan - she calls it 'bobby'. She doesn't suck her thumb and smell it, but she must have it cozied up to her neck before she can go to sleep.

And then there's Mae's. Mae is more flexible when it comes to her green blankie. She can, and has, gone without it lately. But she still loves it, still sucks her thumb at night, still smells it.

And what do these three bobbies smell like?

 I guess they smell a little bit like the life of three little girls. They smell  like their skin, their hair, their home, the food their mom cooks, the books that have taken up residence in their bed, their cats, their spit, their not-so-pleasant smells. All mixed up. All soft textures and warm feelings.

Happy Friday, all. Go cuddle up with something wonderful tonight. Something that smells a little bit like your whole life.