The following story happened when I was... five or six?
My mom, being inclined to All Things Natural, used cloth diapers for my brother and I when we were babies. She made Ghostie out of one for me - it was my security blanket of sorts - a round head, rubber band neck, layers of ghost about 6 inches in length.
Ghostie went everywhere with me.
One day, driving home from Grandma + Grandpa Z's house at the beach, I opened the "wing" window of the Volvo and stuck Ghostie's head up to it.
I suppose for fresh air?
This is where it gets tragic.
Ghostie was sucked out the car window so fast. I remember feeling a huge mixture of emotion, and I sat there in silence. My brother told my mom to pull over, we had a problem.
She pulled over, I explained through heartbreak and sobs that Ghostie flew out the window! We must go back and find him! My brother told me I should have said something right away, and that we were miles away now. Mom told me that a nice deer would find Ghostie and take him home with her.
I spent the rest of the car ride in silent tears, feeling a desperate loss. We made it home, unpacked the car and I went to my room.
This is one of those stories I tell to make a point about how much I love my brother:
He came into my room probably an hour later... holding A New Ghostie. He made me a new one.
I still have Ghostie today.
Right now during such tragedy and loss, I am taking extra time to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I am appreciating everything. I am making sure there are bright spots to every day.
... and we have people over and I feed them. It's one of my favorite things to do.
This weekend we enjoyed a house full of laughter, fun people, great food. Including a new hummus:
garlic & chive hummus
1 can garbanzo beans, drained, save liquid
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
3-5 chives, finely chopped
juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
Combine beans, garlic, chives, oil and salt in food processor until smooth. If needed, add a small amount of saved liquid from garbanzo beans to adjust consistency.
Serve with pita, crackers, olives and cucumbers.
Did you have a special stuffed animal or security blanket when you were little?
Lisa says
I love the ghostie story. I had a Blankie, and still have it...but honestly, my mom got it "restored" about ten years ago...and it's all stiff and not the same. Not that I need it anymore, so I am glad I have it!
That hummus sounds amazing!
spabettie says
aw, stiff blankie! yeah, I know, though... it was so touching, so obviously I loved it, but when he made me a new Ghostie, it was... new. it took a little bit to "break in". 😀
Dorry says
Oh, Ghostie! So precious that your brother made you a new one. I have a stuffed animal squirrel (Nutkin) that was my obsession as a young child. I went to camp with my sisters when I was very young - also maybe 5 or 6 - and Nutkin got lost! I cried and cried. I thought my world was ending. But one of the counselors found him in another cabin. He's gotten mixed up in the sheets/laundry. Whew!
spabettie says
oh, I'm so glad Nutkin was found! so you went through the same thing - gut wrenching world ending in a five year old life!! do you still have Nutkin? 😀
Heather says
I still have Bunny and Teddy - as ragged as they look. I don't think either of them have eyes. Very well loved.
That hummus looks amazing - garlic and chive is such a great combo.
spabettie says
that's awesome you still have them... well loved... reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit! 😀
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love stories like this. Your brother sounds super sweet. My parents still have my stuffed animals. As for the hummus...yum. I love tons of garlic in mine. I need to try chives in there too.
spabettie says
the chives were GOOD, and yep - I don't know if I've made hummus WITHOUT garlic!! 😀 ...and yes, my brother is a good guy. 🙂
Evan Thomas says
As a garlic lover, you know I love this.
spabettie says
I know you do!!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I loved reading the story of Ghostie! And your brother is so sweet to make you a new one -- I love when people really surprise you 🙂
I was a cloth diaper baby too!
spabettie says
exactly!! totally surprised me - that's a perfect way to describe it. <3
Team Cloth Diaper Babies! 😉
Kristina @ Life as Kristina says
I have a "blankie" it's stored a way-when W and I bought a house my mom insisted I brought blankie...lol
spabettie says
I love that... you HAVE to have your blankie... even if you don't need it.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
What a great story! I didn't really have anything like that, my sister did, however. We called her Linus because she loved her blankets (still does) and one in particular she pretty much ate called her Bita Blanket. (as in bite)
spabettie says
Linus! yep, I could totally relate to Linus when I was a kid... <3
Blog is the New Black says
Cute post! 🙂
spabettie says
😀
lindsay says
oh what a nice brother! My brothers would have made fun of me and said that ghosty was roadkill or something. haha.
spabettie says
aw! I still like to believe that there was a deer... 😉