When I was a teenager, I had a butterscotch comforter on my bed. During the warm months of late spring and all through the summer, the comforter lay folded across the foot of my bed. But come late fall and all during the cold months of winter and early spring, the comforter became a most treasured part of my four poster bed. I loved my butterscotch comforter. I call it that because it was the color of butterscotch pudding. One side was patterned and one side was corduroy. I can still feel the smoothness of the corduroy as I snuggled into bed and pulled the comforter up around my chin. My Dad always insisted that we crack a window in our rooms at night unless it was very, very cold. But my comforter kept me as warm as I have ever been in any bed. When I turned out the light and settled in to sleep, I felt safe and peaceful and happy.
I remember one winter morning when it was especially cold. It must have been a Saturday. It was still dark and my Mom came into my room to shut the window. I recall looking at the clock, seeing there was still plenty of sleep time, feeling the joy that you can only feel when you realize it's Saturday, and hearing Mom say, "Go back to sleep." I snuggled down, way down, and I can still see myself smiling.
This selective memory comes back to me often, and I wonder why. I have decided that it must be because all sorts of happy things were coming together at the same time--it was Saturday, I was toasty warm, my Mom was in the room, I felt safe, and content, and just plain good. I know especially when my own children were teenagers, I always felt peaceful (and relieved) when everyone was at home and in bed. I think all mothers must feel that way--we want our brood to be tucked in and accounted for.
I don't know what happened to the butterscotch comforter. I suppose when I went away to college Mom eventually got a new one. But nights under that wonderful quilt will remain with me always. And too, when I think of the comforter I think of my Mom, so that's just an added extra good bonus.
1 comment:
Sandy,
I also like your idea for your blog. When I saw the picture, I was drawn to wonder what you were going to write about. I immediately had questions like, "how does it feel to live in a place where snow reaches the top of your mailbox. I've visited places where it snows but I couldn't imagine living in such a place all season long. I appreciate this predictable Florida weather. I really thought the picture in your blog was eye catching.
Post a Comment