Now if you're taking a moment to judge me, I say whatever. Think long and hard about what you've been able to keep alive for thirty years and then we'll talk.
But you see, I recently I woke up to find a piece of blankie at the foot of the bed. There are friends - Jill and Bloomie, Hill and Blankie, Missy and Pillow, Kelsey and Puppy, Erica and well, Blankie - that understand the attachment. Other people try to understand.
And so with that, I begin.
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Dearest Blankie,
As we age and get older we are often faced with the reality that some people ... and some things .. will not be with us forever. In the past few months where I've woken to your straggled hems wrapped around my neck in an attempt to kill me, I worry that I might have to do a better job of preserving you. But before it's too late and before someone suggests I sew you to another blanket in an effort to have you for another 30 years, I wanted to write this special note to you.
I named all my dolls Amy. I'm not sure why. Maybe I knew it would always be a classic. Maybe I liked the simplicity or the fact that their name would never be cooler than mine. I was a doll girl. I wanted every. single. one. that I was introduced to from my weekend cartoon commercials and scribbled down. At birth, however, I was gifted a beautiful pink blanket. Bordered in pink satin that fit perfectly between my fingers and with an embroidered rocking horse (or unicorn, it's tough to remember and tell nowadays) that would withstand the test of time.
Sure, I gave you up (shhhh don't worry) ... when most children should part ways with their blankie. And sure I picked you back up again at the young age of 16 when home with period cramps I remembered you had magical powers to cure stomach aches if someone would just shove you in their shirt. And from there, you would jump right back into being my companion. Probably coming along for some of the more important rides of life - teens, through college and into my
When I went away to college. You'd shamelessly remain under my pillow until it was time to "introduce you." Or when I'd notice you accidentally back in my arms after I'd hid you before heading out.
Remember that one time I thought to share in my drunkenness and throw up on you? You were wild. I slept the night on the futon and checked on you in that garbage bag outside my door every hour on the hour. And when I slept for just two hours straight and awoke to find you were missing, how it was a rumor on the sorority floor that my grandmother had died. How the cleaning lady felt so horrible thinking she had discarded you (when in fact Kelsey did,) and she jumped into the dumpster to retrieve you. She's a good lady.
Remember when you lived in Spain? You elected not to backpack elsewhere for fear you'd land yourself in a dumpster again (smart move, blankie ... wine was really cheap in Europe.)
You had major ragers with Elenosaurus, Doggie, Blankie, Pillow, Bloomie and the like. Graduated with a great degree. Moved to New York City. You got many invites to hot social events, specifically a guest of honor at "BYOB" ... or Bring Your Own Blankie parties at Apt 4H/9B. Ah, remember when you celebrated Jill's birthday by surprising her with Bloomie? Yea, me too.
Remember when you got your own place (with me of course)? How you've been by my side and under my arm for heartbreaks, tears, laughs and some serious couch time. You told Erica that getting her blankie restuffed for Chanukah was not necessary. You were right.
And while you're too feable to travel nowadays, I look forward to the times you're home waiting under that pillow like always.
And while you're too feable to travel nowadays, I look forward to the times you're home waiting under that pillow like always.
Dearest Blankie, it's been a long run and I'm not talking smack like it's the end of the road. All the Amy dolls have permanent marker "cuts" on their foreheads and they've been sold at garage sales or are stuck in an attic. You win dude. Thanks for chilling in my closet for 5 years before I came to my senses and realized your powers. Thanks for hanging in there, for trying your hardest to make it to my wedding (let's hope you have another few decades in you) and all that comes after that. I prob won't share you with any kids - it's a choking hazard and I'm not really a sharer ... but we'll introduce them to a blankie and hope they have such a long-lasting, loving relationship.
See you at home ... because if I wasn't going to be alone forever, I def might be now.
