I thought that I might have to use an older photo for this week’s entry at I♥faces, but Corrigan cooperated by falling sound asleep on his floor this past week. I do not have too many photos of Corrigan sleeping because, really, who pokes sleeping lions with sharp sticks?
*puts camera down and slowly backs away from the sleeping baby*
I have mentioned Project Linus in the past ( on the old blog ) and I am still a huge fan of the program.
On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments. After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.
In the above photo Corrigan is snuggled up with his Project Linus blankie that he received on his last emergency transfer to John’s Hopkins hospital. Each time he was transferred from Cumberland to Baltimore, I would race down behind the ambulance or helicopter and arrive to find him surrounded by nurses, students and a new Project Linus blanket in his lap.
Sadly, we have several of these love-made blankets but this pink- purple-blue-white blankie is, by far, his most favorite.
I remember when I walked into his hospital room and saw him sleeping, covered with this blanket and thought,
“Crimeny, why did they give him a girl colored blanket?”
(grateful heart I have, right? Sheesh)
And, because God likes to tease me, of course Corrigan took this as his favorite blankie in the whole wide world.
Corrigan loves that he can weave his fingers in and out of the loops and, even now, he enjoys tossing it over his own head and walking around dangerously.
*note to Corrigan- the blanket has thumb-sized holes. When you toss the blanket over your head…feel free to look through the holes as you toddle all over the house like a drunken, easter egg-colored ghost. *
Irony is that he really does carry it around like Linus..
I will find him sitting, watching a video with the blanket slung over his shoulder, or walking all around the house, dragging it behind him…through the decorative super hygenic dog hair that I leave laying around (ha!), shoving the corners into his mouth when his teeth hurt and clinging fiercely to it while sleeping.
It comes with us, without fail, to every clinic visit, to every hospital stay (all local now, woot!) and any car trip. It smells like his medicine no matter how many times I wash it (pee eww! but hooray for meds that save his life every day!), the ends are fraying ( I knot them frantically each time I find one, praying it will not come unraveled) and I am pretty sure there are boogers in that thing, but it is the most special thing in his life.
If anyone I know needed a “lovey” it would be Corrigan.
How awesome that these sweet friends take the time to knit, quilt and stitch thousands of blankets for little ones that find themselves scared, hurt and sick in hospitals across the country. You can feel the love that is put into each and every blanket. I wouldn’t want to part with any of the Project Linus blankets that Corrigan has been given. Except, perhaps, to his own babies one day when they are old enough to understand how very very special they are.
There will be babies.
Lord willing, they will never need a Project Linus blanket. Lord willing, there would never EVER be a need for another Project Linus blanket again…but until that prayer is answered there will be amazing , selfless people creating these ”lovies” and delivering them to hospitals all across the country.
And now…now when I look at that “girl” colored blanket I see nothing but a blanket…the most special blanket in the whole wide world.
I get it now, Corrigan.
Thanks for showing mommy what matters.
(if you would like to learn more about Project Linus please visit www.projectlinus.org)
This is a precious picture for sure! : ) I LOVE your analogy about poking lions with sticks. SO funny : ) This project seems like a beautiful thing. I love when people reach out and help others. That is always wonderful! Hope your week with your sweet sleeping angel is a blessing! : )
Oh Wow, what an amazing story. Project Linus sounds like such a blessing!
And don’t worry, my little boy has taken a liking to my bright pink shirt! He loves to snuggle with it and sleeps with it now. It’s pink! =) Oh well!
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment! It’s nice to meet you!
Love that hair! Sweet capture and idea.
How precious. I love it.
What a cutie pie! Loving the blankie
looks like a comfy pillow
Thank you so much for stopping by… I came by to say hi and I have to say I love your sense of humor and storytelling ability… such a visual: a drunken Easter-egg…. and the “super” hygenic dog hair… love it. And Corrigan is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Such a SWEET photo and such a touching story!!!
What a sweet picture and a wonderful story to go with it!
What a sweet photo.
God bless you, Corrigan. It is amazing the effect a tiny little person can have on an entire world. Thank you for opening eyes & hearts all the way here in Oklahoma! <3
Gosh, this is the sweetest heartwarming photo and story. I love how you are a vehicle for Project Linus. Helping others along the way.
It’s great when a child can have something that gives him the ability to comfort himself. Things like blankets, a stuffed animal, nukies, even sucking a thumb are indications of a child’s attempt to self comfort.
Project Linus sounds like a very worthwhile project.
Thanks for hopping over to my “I heart Faces” post. I came here to see your picture, but was drawn in by your story. As another said, “God bless you, Corrigan.”
So precious.
Pam
What a beautiful story to go along with a beautiful photo. So glad Corrigan had his blankie to keep him safe and give him comfort.
What a precious boy and the Linus project sounds awesome
What a beautiful picture & story. I have tears in my eyes
what a precious photo.
I love his name! Very unique.
Thank you for your sweet comment!
What a great shot! And an even more lovely story. My youngest loves his “Big Blue Blankie” and talks about his favorite hole to put his finger through. Aren’t loveys the greatest?
I truly love this picture and love the blanket. Project Linus is awesome. great shot.
ohmygosh. this post kind of melted my heart a little bit.
I really appreciate your sweet comment on my blog. I can tell you’re a great mom! Such a precious photo of your little guy
Blessings to you both!
How incredibly sweet. The adorable little boy and the story behind the blankie.
Very cute photo – loving the snow effect too!
Love the photo!
Love the blankie!
Love the snow!
And praise the Lord for your little boy who looks so healthy!
This is an Awesome Photo! Corrigan looks so comfy with his colorful pillow and warm snuggly blanket! Too Cute!!!
I share your sentiment about the fear of waking a baby with a camera click! But aren’t these the sweetest memories?
this is precious!
Adorable! Such a great capture! And thanks for stopping by my blog =)
How adorable! Project Linus is so wonderful.
Oh my goodness! What a little cutie pie!
Beautiful! I am familiar with this charity. Love the sentiment behind the picture. Adorable.
Not only is that the most precious picture, but the most precious story! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
oh goodness. this is SO cute. LOVE that red hair.
beautiful child and beautiful blanket!
Great shot & story!!
what a wonderful post! and a precious picture! will be praying there will be no more project linus blankets though!
That’s a great project and how fitting to show is Linus blanket in the sleeping photo.
What a great photo and a wonderful story to go right along with it. Sweet, sweet picture.
What a great picture and project…I know exactly what you mean about the lion and the stick!
Thanks for your sweet comment!!! And your photo is awesome!!!!
Oh the joy of a sleeping toddler, and when they are cutely clutching a blanket, even more. I liked learning about project linus. Very heartwarming. Best of luck with your beautiful child, may all good health be his (and yours, too!).
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for shedding more light to this amazing organization.
God Bless Corrigan and his girly blanket.
The things we learn from our kids. Corrigan is blessed to have a mommy like you. Willing to accept his choices even if they may not have been your choice. Awesome!
Thanks for visiting my WW post ‘Not Happy Mum’. This is such a lovely post. I’m the opposite to you, there are so many photos of my little Charlotte when She is sleeping. So far, the flash doesn’t disturb her.
I love things like Project Linus. Such good people in this world.
Christine
What a beautiful post, and photo! What a blessing!
You had me chuckling and tearing at the same time. He’s adorable but, of course, you already know that.
aww yeah, he is kinda cute.