Ella’s Valentine Note to GW
I remember when my kids were young what a pain in the neck Valentine’s Day was – all those cards, all that candy! It was worse than Halloween or Easter because you added to it the notion of romantic love, which really should not be pushed on any seven-year old. I always preferred to introduce that concept to my kids when they were well into their twenties.
And, speaking of seven-year-olds, our granddaughter Ella has been preparing her Valentine cards. She is a very loving little girl and made sure not to forget anyone. She went down her list – parents, sisters, her brother Jett, Jett’s imaginary friend. Yes, she included them all.
Jett is four. He is badly outnumbered in his house by his three sisters. Thankfully, he has a very special, though imaginary, friend who is a boy. Jett’s friend is a bit different from most of the imaginary friends that I have heard about. Jett’s friend is a blankee; actually he’s more of a persona. His name is Green Wee. We don’t know why.
Green Wee, or GW for short, is so life-like to Jett that he talks about him as if he were real. He told me one day that Green Wee had his cousin visiting him. Jett was happy for him to have company and wasn’t threatened at all by another imaginary friend in the life of GW.
Sometimes GW disappears. (I guess we all need some alone time.) When that happens the entire household is enlisted on a search and rescue. Usually he hasn’t gone too far (after all, he is a blanket). GW closes himself in the bathroom cabinet when he has to “go.” I suppose his waste is akin to lint – he never puddles on the floor.
Bedtime, of course, is when GW is most needed, and he is the only one that can make Jett feel better if he gets a boo-boo. He is one compassionate blankee so I think it is entirely appropriate that Ella sent him a Valentine. It is extra special when you notice that she took the time to make sure that Green Wee knows that Jett loves him.
When I look at Green Wee, I see a well-used blanket or lint in the dryer. In Jett’s imagination he sees a friend. This challenges me to make sure that I’m not treating my loved ones like dryer lint. And I especially don’t want to be a wet blanket to them.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Life on the Lighter Side 
caroness1
/ February 13, 2013I love GW! My daughter had a blanket called Mickey, because it had pictures of Muckey Mouse all over it…
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013Thank you! Yes, the creative minds of little ones. I just love it.
Debi Walter
/ February 13, 2013Ha! You could never be a wet blanket to me, Bonnie. You’re more like a comforter in many ways. Willow has an imaginary friend as well called, Tag. And it’s the tag on her blanket. Go figure. Ashley has had to sew on new tags when the old ones became shredded beyond repair. Gives a whole new meaning to “you’ve been tagged.” 🙂
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013You are so kind, Debi. If Willow and Jett ever get their blankees together, they can form an imaginary family. Cool.
encourageyourspouse
/ February 13, 2013No wet blankets – no dryer lint! Wow, Bonnie -you’ve challenged me. LoL Happy Valentines day to you too!
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013Thanks, Lori. Though I don’t think you would fit into either category. I always think about you when I post an Ella story.
Angie Schaffer
/ February 13, 2013Aww that is too sweet!
Seeing and hearing these sort of things make me miss childhood.
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013I know what you mean, Angie. But I sure wouldn’t want to relive the teenage years!
Amy
/ February 13, 2013What fun! When there are little ones around, there are always fun stories to share! I love the story of GW.
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013Thanks, Amy. I just checked out your blog and loved it, too. The name is quite catchy!
Aubyron
/ February 13, 2013I loved this post!
Bonnie Anderson
/ February 13, 2013Thanks, Aubyron. Ella is very helpful when it comes to blogging.