Favorite Toy

When Shady was a pup the toy duck was bigger than she was.  But she would proudly drag it around, doing her best to lift it.  She sucked on it and slept with it and quacked it until it had no quack left.  Eventually the poor thing was brought outside and left there. With no wings or feet left, we eventually threw it away.

When I was a kid I had my sookie blanket.  It (she, really) was rainbow stripe with white satin edges.  I wore her as hair, tying her back with a clothes pin. She was the roof of my forts.  She came with me everywhere I went over night.

My mother made a blanket for each of my boys.  Satin on one side and the softest flannel on the other.  Don't tell Reiley I told you this, but he still has his hidden in his room.  Owen still uses his.  I am torn between him being old enough to give her up already and being heart broken that he's too old for her anymore.  He uses his blankie more than I did or Reiley did.  On long car trips he'll bring her along and suck on his fingers with her tucked under his nose.  Just like he did today when we went shopping in Halifax.

We didn't notice she was missing until Owen was getting tucked into bed.  After 2 trips to the truck looking and looking again, we couldn't find her.  I was ready to call the stores we had visited on the long shot that someone had turned her in, having found her in the parking lot.  She must have fallen out the truck when Owen climbed in. To be honest, I was heart sick at the thought of her lying in the wet, dirty slush, all by herself.  Lost.  I really didn't want to tell Owen she was gone.

I went back outside one last time and looked around the truck and found her lying in the snow.  After a quick fluff in the dryer, she was as good as new and warm too.

After good night hugs and kisses I walked into the kitchen and found Shady lying on the floor with her Christmas present.  Her favorite toy.  Even after all these years.  I guess we never get too old for some things.