The Baby Blanket from Bulgaria

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Beautiful memories can make any object more valuable than it actually is. Baby things are so much like that. I can’t throw Timmy’s first pair of shoes away. I’m still holding on to his onesies from his first year. Then there’s one very special item I know I’ll keep even when he’s outgrown it — a soft, baby blue banket with cows and a cottage.

Quilt from Bulgaria
When my friend from Bulgaria learned I was pregnant in ’09, she sent me a wonderful baby package. There were clothes for the baby, Bulgarian treats for me, and this cozy blue blanket. This friend isn’t just like any other. Her name is Spaska, and I have yet to meet her in person. We were penpals when I was 14 years old. She was my favorite penpal because I loved her beautiful handwriting and she told wonderful stories. The correspondence carried on for many years until we lost touch. We picked up on our correspondence again a few years ago via e-mail, and now we keep in touch once in awhile through Facebook. Amazing, isn’t it?

Maybe the baby has picked up on how special this blanket is to me because he loves this blanket more than the other ones he has. It’s got cows! A Mommy and Daddy cow! With ears you can pull! He also loves nibbling on the blanket corners. He reminds me a little of Linus Van Pelt when I see him do this.

Like Linus Van Pelt
When he’s older I’ll tell him about the story of that blanket — how it traveled many miles to comfort him, how it arrived from Mommy’s old penpal. He’ll probably wonder what the heck a penpal is and how I could wait for months on end before getting a letter from a stranger. When he understands the magic of friendship though, I’m sure he’ll realize how special the blanket is.

Sing me to sleep
The blanket serves its purpose. It keeps him warm and cozy. It keeps him entertained. Still, beautiful memories can make any object more valuable than it actually is. You can get a fluffy blue blanket anywhere, but you can’t get one that carries with it the story of a twenty-year friendship between two women who trust each other well but have yet to meet. Especially when it comes with two cows and a cottage.

8 Comments on The Baby Blanket from Bulgaria

  1. Janie
    June 1, 2011 at 1:56 pm (13 years ago)

    I’m not exactly sure why but I find this story tugging at my heartstrings. I hope that someday you’ll get to meet your penpal.

    Reply
  2. Jenny
    June 1, 2011 at 7:25 pm (13 years ago)

    great story!! I also have a penpal from germany – i think I was in elementary when we started writing to each other. I was fortunate to have met her in berlin. and now we keep in touch – but through facebook and no longer via slow mail!! I would love for my daughter to have her own penpal 😀

    Reply
  3. witsandnuts
    June 2, 2011 at 1:36 pm (13 years ago)

    I love the story behind the blanket. I also had a penpal back in highschool, it lasted for 5 years yata, then emailing came. And we met na. :)

    Reply
  4. JO
    June 2, 2011 at 11:29 pm (13 years ago)

    Once he outgrew the blanket, you can just hang it in his room as a wall decor.
    JO´s last blog post ..My Amnesia Girl

    Reply
  5. JO
    June 2, 2011 at 11:30 pm (13 years ago)

    BTW, congrats on being featured at Nuffnang Phils.
    JO´s last blog post ..My Amnesia Girl

    Reply
  6. Kay
    June 4, 2011 at 1:45 pm (13 years ago)

    I used to have a penpal too. I wonder where he is?

    This is a really nice story to have about something special.
    Kay´s last blog post ..and so I remain silent

    Reply
  7. edelweiza
    September 18, 2013 at 5:33 pm (11 years ago)

    What a nice blanket and even nicer friendship! I hope you two long time and long distance friends meet each other someday. It would be really cool and meaningful. :)

    Reply
    • Toni
      September 23, 2013 at 12:33 pm (11 years ago)

      Thanks a lot! :)

      Reply

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