security blankets

*Security and Comfort*

so while taking my 4 year old and his bloody injury

wrapped in a towel to the Dr.

I grab his 'binky' (all purpose 'security blanket')

and place it in his arms over his seat belt

to which his fingers unconsciously roll the soft comfort between

his natural reaction anytime it's in close proximity to him

and upon watching him do so.. even I *sigh* a bit of relief.

about 2 minutes into the drive he asks

"mom?, ..why did you bring my 'binky'?"

my reply...

"in case you need something to help make you feel better, like a friend"

he thinks for a moment ..and his reply melts me

"but that's what you are for"

~ugh~

can I just say, of all my 37 years of my life

boyfriends, best friends, and a husband

that was by far

the sweetest gift my heart had ever been given.

Ever

.

So why encourage him to drag along his 'binky'?

I,...well I sucked my thumb right up until high school

(sad, but true)

and of course had a 'security blanket'

I unconsciously rubbed between my fingers too

until at least the 9th grade.

Both habits my parents tried hard to break.

I've heard if you look deep between the binding of many a parent's handbook

The advice would be to encourage your child

to gently break the need for 'security' items.

I'm not big on parent handbooks, Dr. Spock, Child rearing Guru's,

and knowing the latest on what 'The Newest Studies' show.

I just do what I think is best

and hope there isn't much a lot of love and support can't get us through.

My sister (god love her) I am quite sure is out to be

a walking encyclopedia by the time she expires on this earth.

But Hey~ to each their own!

We will all do a lot right,

and when you ask our kids 20 years from now,

I'm sure according to them,

we most likely will have done some things wrong.

and I think that's the way it will always be

otherwise we may just put therapists and psychologists

right out of business

.

Forgive me, I'm getting side-tracked on my rant.

My point..

'security' blankets

I just hate that's what they are called

and there is discussion at all on breaking your kids from them

I'm all for nicknaming them 'comfort-binky's' or 'comfort bunnies'

or etc., etc.,

I agree no meekly held together piece of material

bound in satin, worn thin, rubbed,and chewed with anxiety

is going to provide 'security'

but I admit even 'I' was looking for extra comfort that day

and it's far too soon when we all grow up

and realize nothing can provide 100% security

not even mom

but 'comfort'

comfort is a beautiful thing

I have no shame in grabbing the 'binky' for extra comfort

and taking it along

from the car and right into the Urgent care

from waiting room to the Dr's room
and home again.

I am even more delighted to know my son, at 4

knew I was his rock going into whatever happened

not a 'security blanket'.

But then again, so what if your kid is 11

and her 'comfort bunny' is tucked in her overnight bag when attending a sleep-over.

When your down, or hurt, or scared or even worried ..

we all need as much 'comfort' as we can get.

Absolutely nothing is wrong with seeking comfort.

It's not a weakness

Even when we grow up, we still know

Those who have comfort,

The comfort of family, of love, of support,

or even a warm blanket

those people

are truly blessed.

Comfort, my friend, is a luxury

.

When my grandma passed away.

Nothing was going to take away the tears and the pain and the sorrow.

My mom asked me while standing in my grandmas home

along with her three sisters who were all there dividing her things up

if there was anything special I wanted

A quick scan of the bedroom I was standing in

there were two objects that came to mind.

One, a bottle of her perfume off her dresser.

One whiff and fond memories flooded my head.

Surely I wouldn't leave that for charity.

The second thing I went for?

A pink blanket off her bed.

It was warm and soft to the touch

and bound in luscious pink satin.

I still love that blanket.

Worn thin and even re-bound in new pink satin

courtesy of my mothers sewing skills

It no longer smells like her, washed several times over.

But I don't even have to be feeling down or blue

when throwing that blanket around me..

but when I do, there is no false sense of 'security'

.. there is however,

under that blanket,

an immeasurable sense of

'comfort'

.