Crazy for you

By Cooper

If our house was ever burning down, and my family was safe outside, I would seriously consider running back into the house, through the flames, for my 7-year-old daughter's most cherished possessions: "Doggie" and "Blankie," a tattered and gray security object duo.

It may seem odd to say I would risk my life for these things, but it is not without precedent. A few years ago, I ran into oncoming traffic to save the pair after they flew out the car window.

This type of behavior can only be explained by the simple reason that, to me, Doggie and Blankie are, well, sacred.

They became that way because of the amount of love and need that was poured into them over the last seven years. When she is sad or tired or sick, our daughter gets the twosome from her bed and carries them around the house, even though she has grown tall and does homework and can tie her own shoes and make her own chocolate milk.

The other night, after everyone was in bed, I found Doggie and Blankie tucked into a doll carriage. It was the first night they had not gone to bed with our daughter and it took my breath away.

What was in store for these friends of hers?

I heard once about a bride who sewed her childhood security blanket into the lining of her wedding dress so it would be with her as she walked down the aisle into a life of her own. I have to admit I like that idea.

If I was granted three wishes, one of them would be, no doubt, that my children were always safe. When I took Doggie and Blankie upstairs that night and tucked them into bed beside my little girl, I realized giving her safety and security won't always be so easy.

Comments

[G]

Touching!

[VJ]

My five-year-old son, Tony received a little stuffed dog from treasured life-long friends when he was six weeks old. "Freckles" is his near constant companion. The little dog comes with us to church and waits in the car for services to end. The dog is carefully tucked into Tony's arm as he makes his way downstairs for school, and it's "Freckles" "voice" I hear immediately after I hear a cheery "good morning" from Tony.

This past weekend, while I was in a rehearsing with our church's praise team for a concert, I saw Tony and his friends tossing a small hand bag up in the air over and over. Tucked half way inside was Freckles.

I immedately suggested to Tony that it was time for "Freckles" to take a nap, and the crises passed. I just didn't want the little toy to get damaged. Sometimes even I forget that it's just a toy, and not a real thing.

[Michelle]

We now have a rule that, while we can take my daughter's "friends" in the car with us on outings, she cannot take them into stores, restaurants, etc. Too many times, they have been left behind, but some greater being has always returned her favorites to us. I figure we won't always be so lucky. A few times though, when one did get left behind, I think I was more sad than my daughter was. I guess I am anthropomorphising (sp?) but it just made me so sad to think of poor little pink bear or moo cow out there all by themselves with no one to love them. Anyway, they are now among the many friends that live permanently in my daughter's bed.

[rachel]

I still have my blanket, "Bucky". I'm impressed that you let those two ride in the car! My mom always made me leave Bucky at home -- so he wouldn't get destroyed -- and I would fret that robbers would come into our house and steal him.

My husband still has his Humpty Dumpty too. So it wasn't surprising that our son latched onto something very early (a puppy) and won't let go. I just hope she lasts until he's grown -- she's looking pretty tattered already!

[Kris]

I love this, Cooper. Now, no more running into oncoming traffic, O.K.?