As we leave childhood behind, we leave behind some of the comforts of the blankie. Some adults secretly have a blankie that travels with them and comforts them at home. Only a few intimate friends and family know. I don’t know any adult that is really open about their attachment to a blanket, or remaining part thereof. But I know several that are “closet blankie afficiaonados.”
A socially acceptable adult counterpart is the scarf. There is the phase of knitting a scarf. Then the giving of the scarf as a gift. Since the scarf is a gift it takes on a special place of honor. Depending on the texture and feel of the scarf, it may gracefully move into the niche left by the blankie. For this function, the scarf has to match almost anything. The look of it is less essential than the actual feel of it.
I don’t know how our society grew to think blankies were just for babies and insecure children. Burlington could have opened up a whole other market for their soft blankets. Marketing is a very powerful thing and could be used to increase the comfort of men and women as they proudly carried their blankies. Our celebrities could lead the way, and Oscar night could feature all the blankies that were calming the anxious nominees. Elvis’s blankie could have been auctioned off for a good cause, and people could stand as the Queen’s royal blankie appears.
For now, we have scarves- knitted, silk, fringed, cashmere , elegant or funky, passing as fashion statements while the blankies are at home out of public view, waiting patiently to be reunited.
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