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?
[email protected] says
I had a baby blanket that was my security blanket. One time I had a huge blister on the inside of my palm, so I asked my dad for a glass of ice water and I tore up the blanket into shreds, soaked it in the ice water, and wrapped my hand with it. I wanted to keep the shreds, but my dear blankie was retired that day. 🙂
spabettie says
oh no!! well, at least it provided you one last much needed comfort... XO
Heather @ kissmybroccoli says
Aww, what a great story! How far apart in age are you and your brother? All I remember from growing up with my little sister is how mean to each other we were! But we are the best of friends now! 🙂
I had both! My security "blankie" withered away to a little rag and finally became my dog's blankie and I had a My Child doll that I got when I was 3 that was named Heather Baby. She had the same color hair and eyes as I had and I could never go to sleep without her! I still have her today...though no longer as a bedmate! 😉
spabettie says
my brother is 2.5 years older... we grew up like most siblings, silly bickering, etc... fighting and very different interests and friends... probably why this story still touches me so - it was an unexpected surprise. 🙂 I love that you still have Heather Baby!! 🙂 many of my actual blankets went to the dogs eventually too... <3
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Not only did I have blankies when I was little but I still have those blankies now 😛 Yuppp I'll tell the world loud and proud!
spabettie says
you said it, girl! I have no problem (ha... obviously!) letting people know I still have Ghostie!!
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food says
That is such a good story!! Your brother is a sweetheart 🙂
The hummus looks SO good! You take great pics!
spabettie says
thank you!! 😀 yeah, this memory always gets me - he was probably 7 years old, such an awesome thing to do!!
Kiran says
What a cute and heart warming story 🙂 And that hummus, delish!
spabettie says
thanks, Kiran. it's one of the most awesome things my brother has ever done for me...
Tiffany @ Simply Shaka says
Awwww that's such a sweet story! I never had anything like that but I remember when my sisters Cabbage Patch Kid's head fell off and we took him to a CPK hospital!!
spabettie says
ha! I never had a "Kid", but I remember there was a hospital!!
(what runs) Lori says
What a cute story! Sad but with a truly happy (and heartwarming) ending. I sound all sappy but how cute. 🙂
Oh, and the hummus looks incredible! Let's not forget to mention the food!
spabettie says
I know... I was getting all mushy when writing it... gotta love that brother of mine! and yes, then there is the hummus! 😉
Camille says
I have a stuffed rabbit named Bubba and a tiny stuffed bear named Warwick (my Dad got him from Warick Castle in England) that both came with me to Oregon. If you ever see photos taken from my computer on my blog then you will see them on the bookshelf in the background 🙂
spabettie says
okay, I'll pay attention next time... I know you post those photos sometimes... you're due for another, I think! 😉
Stephanie @ Thorns Have Roses says
Your brother sounds amazing. I too have been on a loving people and expressing it journey lately. 🙂
I told Ryan after 4 dates about the rainbow wedding. He didn't say much until one day I introduced him to a friend of mine and he asked her..."so what will you be? Blue?" She knew what he was talking about. 🙂
spabettie says
oh my GAAH, that just gave me chills! <3 I love it!! AWWW! seriously, love it!! 😀
christina says
aww that is so sweet of your brother to make a new ghostie! love that beautiful story. and the hummus? seriously cannot get enough hummus...go girlfriend!
spabettie says
thanks, I know, it's pretty dang heart wrenching, in a good way! 🙂 hummus is the yummust. yep, whatever! 😀