Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

The Little Blue Blanket

11/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Image from beautifulphotoprops.com
I was talking with a friend on the phone yesterday evening, and in the course of our conversation I told him "my house is full of things, nice things, that don't really matter...they're just stuff." My statement, while very true, does not tell the entire story...as is often the case in my world. You see, as long as those close to me, those in my Tribe are safe and happy, that is the real value in my life, but my home is filled with bits and pieces of memories of those who've come and gone. The little blue blanket is a perfect example...

As I got up this morning and put myself together for the day, I walked past the little blue blanket still draped over the back of my sofa. I touched the soft material and lifted it, bringing it to my nose for a long sniff...it smells like the tiny human I wrap it around when he comes to visit. It never fails...when my grandson comes to see me, I get the blanket of his that stays at Nana's house, wrap him in it and snuggle for as long as he will allow. Then, once his Mama has taken him home, I leave it for days where I can see it frequently. Every time I look at it, I think of the boy who will outgrow it soon enough and the boy who'll never see it, the son I lost who won't get a chance to be a man. This "thing" that lives in my house, this little blue blanket...I wouldn't take a million dollars for it. Hell, I wouldn't take ten million dollars for it. It has become a deep-rooted symbol of people I've lost and people I've gained, and how does one put a price tag on that? Before the weekend, I'll stash that blanket back up in the bedroom I've come to think of as Colin's room, out of sight but never far from my thoughts. And then when he returns for a visit, out it will come and go back to its resting place on the back of my sofa for however many days I decide to soak up the euphoria it exudes from those soft, blue fibers of cloth. I'll think to myself, "stuff doesn't matter" and almost hear my unborn son whisper, "Uh huh...sure, mommy. Then what's with the blanket?"
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery