NFL Blankets Offer More Than Warmth

The other day I was listening to my cousin Frances share some memories of her dad. Her dad, Algin, raised cattle and loved the springtime because that is when the new calves were born. He loved watching the new calves when they grew strong enough to rip, run and play.  He could watch they play for hours and their antics always made him laugh until his side hurt. Even when it was more difficult for him to get around, when springtime came, he always asked if someone would  take him outside to see the new calves.

One Christmas, Frances was watching one of the early home shopping shows on television. They were showcasing  Officially Licensed NFL blankets made of a plush  fabric, that was both soft and warm.    Frances called in to order a couple of blankets for her dad’s Christmas gifts. She remembered how cold and damp it gets during the springtime in Mississippi when her dad liked to spend time outdoors watching the calves, and thought the blankets would be the perfect thing to keep her dad warm while watching football.

As she was telling me the story, I imagined how her dad would be sitting in his favorite chair and she would cover him up with one of those warm NFL blankets. I imagined him watching those baby calves play and coming inside to a warm blanket and maybe a cup of hot chocolate.  I imagined that on cold winter nights, she had that extra NFL blanket on the foot of his bed.

As Frances told the story of  how much her dad loved the NFL blankets  she had bought for him long ago, her face lit up, and we both smiled as we remembered her dad. I did tear up thinking about how much this only daughter loved her dad and what wonderful memories she has of her dad using this thoughtful gift.

Who knew a blanket could  do so much more than keep you warm?  Blankets also represent the sentiment of  taking care of the ones you love the most.