I have had the same pillow for many years. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, and I try not to think about the potential bug carcasses that live inside of peelow, but fact is, I can’t sleep without him. Yes, I said him.

I acquired peelow so long ago I don’t remember. I do know that he has accompanied me to the hospital to give birth – and my child is almost 21. He is a feather pillow covered in that blue ticking fabric. I have a quilted pillow cover on him, and then 2 pillow cases.

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Peelow prefers the Kliban sneaker cat pillow case, which predates him to my high school days. I have taken them both on every trip I’ve been on since ….well before 21 years ago. London, Yorkshire, California a few times, Connecticut, up and down the east coast, Orlando, and my recent trip to Philadelphia. I’ve left him home a couple times, when it would be embarassing. Like any teacher conventions, etc.

When I went to the NEA convention in DC a few years back, peelow stayed home (and comforted my husband as when I am not home, he snuggles it) and I was so distraught I barely slept.

Peelow has witnessed two husbands, and perhaps another visitor or two (hey – my mom reads this!) He has been there when awokened by a sick child, a dying cat, a sick dog, and for two surgeries I had – not in the operating room, but I tried.

Last week –er this week, onSunday, peelow and I lounged on my parent’s bed watching TV and reading and I left that afternoon, and didn’t realize until my mom told me that I had left him. I’ve struggled to sleep ever since. I currently have a couch pillow and a cheap cotton fluff pillow to help me, but it is inadequate. I sheepishly asked my mom if she could mail it, after I considered a day trip to retrieve him.

I bought a new pillow at the Wmart, which I hate, both the pillow and the store. So today, my dad drove himself to town (first time since early June due to his illness) and part of his errands including the mailing back of peelow. So, if peelow survives the USPS, he will have served yet another comforting purpose, that of proving my dad still has it, and I hope he always will.

But, he can’t have my peelow. He doesn’t want it anyway.