Friday, October 24, 2008

The Magic Blue Blanket

Is there a “thing” in your life, which has brought comfort, possesses healing powers, and simply warm memories? For me and my kids, this “thing” is our Magic Blue Blanket.

It all began in the early 1980’s; I was a young mom with three babies all under the age of 5. My mom thought a nice Christmas gift for me would be an electric blanket. Nay, nay….they frighten me. My second worst nightmare was having this blanket catch fire, as a result my babies and I would perish. My Mom of course would be charged with arson (it’s my dream) no happy ending here, folks. BTW, my number one nightmare as a young mom…my car stalling on the railroad tracks with the babies strapped in car seats in the back. Nay, nay…I avoid all routes which involve crossing a RR track. Speaking of tracks, back to the Blue Blanket…. By the 26th of December, I had removed all of the wiring which was easy to grab and pull. Hence, I wound up with a blanket destined to unravel sooner than later.

Sorry, Mom.

So here it is…wintertime with three babies catching colds, stomach ailments and general “being baby” actions which involve body fluids exiting their little bodies. The Blue Blanket became the recipient of all discharges. What the heck, throw it in the wash and it is ready and waiting for the next sick child. With time, it became learned behavior…if one is to feel sick, grab the Blue Blanket. This being said, being the mom of impressionable young minds, with an outlandish imagination… I told my children that if we snuggle in the Blue Blanket its magic powers would make them feel better. Of course, they were amazed. It never failed! Every time they felt sick…all they had to do was release some bile and Cheerios into the Blue Blanket and *Presto* they felt better.


OK… one might think as these babies grew into tikes and teens, the Magic Blue Blanket would fall by the wayside. Nay, nay. When John was 9 years old, he had his tonsils removed. Seven days later, some of the scabs made an untimely exit with the help of a sneeze. John began to vomit blood into the Blue Blanket, of course. He was rushed by ambulance to the ER; his blood pressure had dropped to a dangerous level. He was terrified. I was beside myself with fear. Obviously, he survived and so did his mom. He gave credit to the Magic Blue Blanket and who was I to deny it.


So it goes….. If there was illness, the Magic Blue Blanket was summoned for healing. My dad received a lung transplant... while he recovered; I sat with him, holding his hand with a piece of the Blue Blanket in our folded hands. He survived for five years with his new lung, until as my dad put it “Those damn shingles” ended his battle. I suppose even the Magic Blue Blanket has its limits.


Down the road… a girlfriend knocks on my front door one afternoon. As I open the door, I see pain in her eyes. Standing in the doorway, she told me she needed three things from me; a hug, a cup of tea and a piece of the Magic Blue Blanket. Not knowing what was going on, I did as she asked… she took the piece of Blue Blanket and placed it under her shirt. She told me has Breast Cancer. We cried, hugged and sipped tea. The piece of Blue blanket was sewn into a quilt she took to the hospital. For seven years, she has remained cancer-free. Until this summer. Immediately upon hearing this horrible news, I mailed a card which included a piece of the Blue Blanket. She sewed this small piece of fabric into a new healing quilt. The surgeons feel as though they removed all of the cancer...


There you have it… a small glimpse of a big “thing”. So many times the Magic Blue Blanket has served us well. It is tattered and torn. It has oodles of little squares cut from its edges. It has been given to many friends in times of need. I carry a piece of Magic Blue Blanket in my back-pack on every trip. By no means does the Magic Blue Blanket replace the power of God, the power of prayer or the power of friendship… it is only a “thing”. But it is our “thing”…our Magic Blue Blanket.




What is your Magic Blue Blanket?

17 comments:

ABNPOPPA said...

What a wonderful story. I will keep the "Magical Blue Blanket" in mind for a while my best friend may need it's help.

Bless you and your warriors!

Unknown said...

pops...prayers to your friend. as always, it is so nice to have you visit!

lorraine said...

Airmanmom: That is such a sweet story and shows a continunity in your life that I admire. My son is a pilot of a C130 and will deploy to Kuwait/Iraq in Dec. I will not stop praying but in my mind I will send a piece of "blue blanket" with him for comfort. I am going to take a piece of yours because I don't have one of my own. Thank you for your generosity. Take care & keep up your support for the guys and gals in green and blue. Lorraine

kim-d said...

Oh, I love all of the good stuff surrounding your magic blue blanket. My "magic blue blanket" is my husband's driver's license that was valid when he died, and one of the 50-cent pieces he collected. I have both of those things with me at all times. I don't know why exactly, but they just make me feel better.

Call Me Grandma said...

What a cool story.

I don't have a blue blanket...but when Dan was in Iraq he ask me to send him a lamp. I thought what kind of lamp can I send that would survive the mail? I remembered the small lamp I had in his room on his night stand. I thought, he'll probably say when he opens this package, why did she send this gay thing? But, to my surprise he called me and said thanks for sending the lamp from my room. I love having it here with me.
This lamp went through a year in Iraq with Dan. With each click of the lamp switch it reminded him of home. He knew that we were here praying and waiting for his safe return.
The lamp is back in Dan's old room. The lamp and Dan returned safe and sound from his Iraq tour.
I guess you could say this lamp made Dan feel better in an awful situation, so it must have magic powers.
I wish that lamp could talk.

Julie D said...

I love that story. I have a rock with the word "Faith" carved in it. Someone gave it to me years ago, and it sits on my desk at work, and when I start feeling like I need it, I rub the faith rock. (I also got a tattoo on my lower back that says Faith during my divorce, as I couldn't carry that rock around 24/7!)

Anonymous said...

Not even God would want us to know why something so simple holds such powers of healing......my belief is that the love such objects inspire and hold is why they work.

A beautiful post, Airmanmom. Thank You.

Unknown said...

lorraine... My thanks and prayers to you. If you would like me to mail a piece of Magic Blue Blanket, please e-mail me at:
airmanmom20837@yahoo.com.
Please know my constant prayers will be lifted for the safety of your son.
May Almighty God watch over your son and bring peace to your anxious heart.

Unknown said...

kim-d...My tears flowed as I read your words. Thank you so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

grandma... Dan is so very blessed to know you as his mom. What a beautiful story. I thank you for stopping by.

Unknown said...

julie...thank you for sharing your "Magic Blue Blanket". From reading your blog...I'm sure the rock and tattoo have helped out on many an occassion.

Unknown said...

loon... I must agree with you...love is the core of these "things". Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment.

Unknown said...

That is a wonderful story! A copy of it along with a blue blanket would make a beautiful new baby gift. Fly over to my blog and pick up some awards I have for you

Unknown said...

p.s. I have a hankie of my dad's, that would be the closest thing to a blue blankie. My son carried it in his pocket on his wedding day.

Unknown said...

megryansmom...great idea as a baby gift! Your Dad's hankie must be a precious "thing"! Thank you for the Blog Awards!!!!

kathleen's kit up said...

I feel like I want to comment on every post I have missed...guess I better get here more often! I love this story. I have a friend who crochets a simple prayer shawl for those she loves when something profound happens in their life. She makes it and prays as she does, then she gathers others who know that person and we pray, then that person is literally wrapped in the prayers of those that care for her. Sometimes you just need something you can touch!
Kathleen

Unknown said...

kathleen...PLEASE feel free to comment on any post! Your kind words are most welcome! Oh my goodness...I do love the story of the prayer shawl! Such an incredible gift!!!