Spring’s delayed arrival has blissfully extended the season of my “magic blanket,” the sherpa-lined throw that quickly warms my shoulders as I begin writing. Did I say my? It’s our blanket, and my husband often grabs it for weekend naps. We’re too mature for tug-of-wars of course, plus, there are plenty of other covers nearby.
We have blankets in every space except the kitchen and bathrooms, including the garage and both cars. A tally of blankets from king-sized bedspreads to baby-sized afghans revealed a total of three dozen blankets, many of which are stored in closets and under beds. I crocheted the oldest one while in my teens. The newest was handcrafted by son Eric and his wife Amanda for Christmas 2017. Quilts stitched by both of my grandmothers are tucked away with cute afghans I crocheted for my little boys.
Perhaps the next generation will enjoy these.
I’ve constructed two quilts so far, one from our family’s old jeans for Eric, and one made from Kyle’s T-shirts for his high school graduation. Both are under our roof. Other blankets hold sentimental value either as commemorations or gifts. 
Made in 2008, still in use today.
Prayer throw from my friend, Julie, after Dave’s heart surgery.
Joyful songbird throw from my sister, Ann, for Christmas.
I keep these beautiful throws on my bed, not for decorative or sentimental reasons, but for function on those nights when sleep only comes with the extra weight and warmth of another layer of fabric, one that can be removed as quickly as it was added, should I awaken in a sweat. My husband, by contrast, pushes most covers aside despite the lowering of our thermostat at bedtime.
Is there such as thing as too many blankets? Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too few. I remember going to church on Blanket Sunday, a day when we were encouraged to make donations to purchase blankets for refugees. Someone would describe, blanket in hand, how the gift could be used not only to provide warmth, but to carry belongings, make a little tent or a wall for privacy, even be worn as clothing.
I’m filled with gratefulness when I consider the blessing of a warm or cool home filled with beds and blankets. Out of that gratefulness, I have made some little efforts through the years to share the comfort of afghans with people in hard circumstances through Warm Up America. While appreciating the abundant blessing of blankets we enjoy, I felt a little nudge to consider giving as many blankets away as we own. That could be done in several ways, both to benefit folks in our own area or to reach out into the world.
In the spirit of Blanket Sunday, a gift of $6 to Samaritan’s Purse will provide a blanket and show love to a traumatized man, woman or child. I must consider the words of James, the half-brother of Jesus, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. “ James 4:17