A Sad Day Cometh

For a week or so Blankie, Kennah's pride and joy, has been shedding more than usual. We find bits of faded pink fabric under the bathroom sink, in the car, in our bed (after crawling in for a few minutes this morning), on the carpet, anywhere Kennah has been. When we find a piece, she comes running and lovingly picks it up and takes it some place. Maybe a Blankie safe house?

She is not too upset by the increasing frequency. In fact, it is kind of part of her grand plan. Once Blankie is small enough, it will fit into her little suitcase she received for Christmas.

But tonight when I tucked her in, she was very solemn. I asked if everything was OK. "Daddy says Blankie will die soon and I can't take him on our trip." I reminded her of HER plan to eventually fit him in her special case. But that was no comfort to her as she contemplated the next 10 days of life without Blankie. I told her that he could absolutely come on the trip. But with a warning that it may not be the best thing for Blankie. I think she recognizes it can't live forever, but it is sooner than she was planning.

Here are the words to an absolutely sweet book that a friend of mine is letting us borrow. I am going to make a Kennah version of it. I don't mean to plagiarize, but it is just so perfect. The illustrations (Geraldine is the cutest little pig) are just wonderful!

Geraldine's Blanket
by Holly Keller

Geraldine had a pink blanket.
Aunt Bessie sent it when Geraldine was a little baby.
And Mama put it in her crib.
Even when she got bigger, Geraldine loved her blanket.
She took it with her everywhere.
"You won't need your blanket at the market," Mama said. "I will," Geraldine insisted.
And she always found a use for it. (She's carrying veggies in it at the market.)
When the blanket got dirty, Geraldine helped wash it.
When there were holes, Mama covered them with patches.
And when the edges were all frayed, Mama trimmed them.
But Geraldine only loved it more.
"There's hardly any blanket left," Papa said. He was getting cross.
Geraldine covered her ears.
"It looks silly," Mama said.
"Then don't look at me," Geraldine said, stamping her foot.
Mama tried to hide the blanket in the closet.
But Geraldine found it right away. (This image Geraldine flipping through the closet with little scowl eyes.)
She kept it pinned to her dress all day.
And tucked it under her pillow at night.
Mama & Papa talked in whispers.
And at Christmas there was a new present from Aunt Bessie.
The doll's name was Rosa, and Geraldine loved her. "But I still want my blanket," she said.
"No," Papa said. "No," Mama agreed.
Geraldine knew what to do. (She is hiding under a table with scissors.)
"There," she said when she had finished. "Now Rosa has the blanket and I have Rosa." (She made a dress.)
Mama didn't know what to say. Papa scratched his head.
And Geraldine took Rosa out to play.

We'll have to see how Kennah's ending unfolds before finishing her version.