If there's one thing in this world I've never been embarrassed by, it's my baby blanket, blankey. He (yes, he has a gender) has gone to every sleepover, long car ride, and scary medical appointment I've ever been to, despite the weird looks and questions I started getting around age 10. People definitely made fun of me, especially when I brought it in for show and tell my freshman year of high school, but I didn't care. When something means as much to you as my blankey means to me, you forget the chuckles.

People who no longer carry around a baby blanket or stuffed animal from their childhood seem to forget why they were given one in the first place: comfort. Most children have something they're given at a young age to make you feel secure and less alone when they're transitioning to doing things like sleeping on their own. I don't know about you, but I didn't ever want to give up something that helped me through those tough transitions. Not only was blankey always a reminder of my childhood, but it would also always make me feel safe, and that's something you just can't put a price on.

To those who don't have a baby blanket or something like it, this whole thing might sound silly. How does a raggedy old cloth make you feel secure?

Well, I can't really explain it. All I know is when I wrap that thing around my finger like I've been doing for 19 years, I instantly feel calm. I don't know if it's because he smells like home, or because psychologically the texture of the blanket does something to my brain, but whatever happens, I'm glad it happens. Blankey has helped me through surgeries and medical procedures I'm sure I would have been a mess from otherwise.

All that being said, stop judging people for still having a "stuffie" or a "blankey." Everyone has the thing that makes them feel the most at home and safe. Mine just happens to be a little smelly.