The Tingster has asked if she can bring a "lovey" with her to the hospital. During the pre-op interview on Tuesday, I asked the nurse if such an item were allowed, and she said they actually encourage them. Apparently, hanging out in the holding area can be quite the traumatic experience; thus, they allow loveys so that children are less scared as they have something familiar to cuddle with / hold while waiting.
So the Tingster's favorite lovey is her beloved Boo-Boo. In its heyday, it used to be a hospital blanket -- you know, the white with the light blue / pink stripes that you see in the maternity wards. In the past six years, this blanket has deteriorated to a point beyond recognitition, even if you squint really, really hard and have the most fanciful imagination known to man. Its condition indirectly correlates with the amount of love / attention it receives - the more delapidated it gets, the more it is loved. And the more it is loved, the more delapidated it gets. Thus, a vicious cycle, never to end.
The Boo-Boo looks tired. And aged. It looks as if it has given up on life and is just dragging, limping to the finish line. It has nothing to live for, except for the never-ending love and unwanted and too-ardent attention from a 6-year-old who doesn't know whether to treat it like a blanket or a pacifier or a weapon against mankind (mostly her sister and the dog).
You get the picture. But, if not, then here are some to enlighten you as to the appearance and condition of the beloved Boo-Boo:
