The Panda and the Pillow

 Since September started, the panda and the pillow have adorned my recliner: panda to my left and pillow to my right. Along with the ergonomic lower back pillow behind me and the super-soft fleece blanket over my lap, I’m well tucked in.

My granddaughters felt that I needed a stuffed animal to hug. Panda started out perched on the left armrest but soon found her proper place slid down to the side where my arm drapes over her. Occasionally, I must adjust her, pulling her up out of the grip of the chair.

The small rectangular pillow came from Hopestone. After my mastectomy, I found that placing the pillow between my upper arm and body worked like a charm for relieving some of the muscle pain. For the first weeks after surgery, the pillow traveled with me throughout the house and even to bed at night for a little extra support. By the end of September, though, it found its permanent spot tucked against the right armrest.

I like to snuggle into my recliner early each morning and listen to music. With a cotton cap on my head to make earphones more comfortable, I plug them into my Kindle, recline to a perfect position, pull the blanket up over my arms and shoulders, and put my arms down by my sides with my hands slightly curved around Panda and pillow. So comfy!

Last night, I wondered if it was time to retire Panda and pillow from the chair. So, this morning I settled in to listen to music covered up with my blanket. It just wasn’t the same. When I’m reading or playing Scrabble, Mah Jong, or Solitaire, perhaps Panda and pillow can have a break. But morning dozing still requires their presence.