Many years ago, someone I have never met (but wished I had), worked her fingers to the bone piecing together a work of art that has (so far) lasted the test of time. Many years later,I would discover that work of art in my Mamaw’s linen closet and learn that my great grandmother pieced each scrap of fabric she could find together with potato sacks to create one of my most loved possessions.
I refer to it as my “Mamaw Blanket”. And it has clearly seen better days. There are tattered edges, rips in the fabric where you toes slip out during the night and pieces hanging on for dear life by tiny stitches. But never in this world, has there been a blanket more soft and more treasured.
This “blanket”, although very large, has been a part of so many memories. It traveled to Raleigh for a short stay at Meredith, it joined me at USC where my sister and I cuddled under it watching mindless Lifetime movies on Oceola Dr, and then , after I was married, it joined me (and Bubba) in bed despite the fact that we had wonderful down comforters. While all of these places are secretly written on this quilt, for the past few years, this quilt has had a new resting place. The Baby Nursery.
It doesn’t match any decor. It is not made from hand spun Egyptian cotton. And at times it looks a bit out of place. But the number of nights I have cuddled up under it holding a little love to my chest are countless. Particularly Bess and Ben. It has never mattered the season, the blanket has always been so soft and had the perfect chill to it in the middle of the night. It is one of my favorite nursery accessories.
Everytime I look at that quilt, I think of my Mamaw and my babies. I know Mamaw’s mother, my great grandmother, probably wasn’t thinking about her great granddaughter that would be cuddling a sweet smelling baby underneath it one day when she was stitching her fingers away! But how thankful am I for this quilt and the memories it holds for me.
One of these days, I hope my 4 little loves will talk about how crazy in love I was over this blanket. I hope they all want it for their home because they remember the many times we snuggled up in it!
It may appear to be a worthless blanket full of rips and tears but that is what makes it full of memories and love!
1 comment:
So sweet! What a special blanket with special memories attached to it. I'm just catching up on reading. Such fun things going on at the Baily house. Love the underwear pics of Charlie! And that sweet collage you made of all 4 of them. Blessed little babies to have a mommy who loves them so much! Can't wait to see you this weekend!
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