You know that pesky question, that once asked if you don’t answer right away people think you are weird and anti-social. It goes something along the lines of, “If you were stranded on an island what three things would you take with you?” I was asked that when I first started work in NY… and my initial response, “my dog, my significant other, and my blanket.”
Without pausing to think A blanket… A!! No no, too late, because I had already said “my” and it had already been heard.
This is pretty embarrassing for me to admit… but I’m 23 and yes, I still have and sleep with my Blanket, named Gangi (gung-ee).
The name originates from a made-up Urdu word. It’s simple – up until I was around 19 I thought Gangi meant blanket in Urdu and when I found out it didn’t I thought everything prior in my life had been a lie. So the name sticks with no other meaning than Sanah’s blanket.
I take my Gangi everywhere because I can’t sleep without it… That means I took it with me to Africa, London, Austin, Vegas, LA, all through out the Mediterranean, and one time I even left it behind in Canada and cried the entire 15 hour plane ride + stop over until it was safely confirmed that it would be returned to me one week later. It currently is with me in New York and comes on all my trips back to Texas with me.. and boy has it aged through the years.
My Nani Ma (mom’s mom) gave it to my mom and I took it from her when I was 3 to sleep with, and then when I was 8 and had stairs in my home it became my sled (snow deprived Southerner), and then when I was 13 it became a great accessory to play dress up in. Through the years it became a comforting friend – so yes, I can’t let it go. One time I even cried in Khane (religious service) because I thought some old lady sitting in the chairs stole it. This is when I learned that Gangi had a twin… #attached.
It’s been through surgery. It ripped right down the middle and my mom had to sew it back together… that was only a year ago. Poor Gangi lost a couple inches. But this time no surgery for Gangi, old age has just taken it’s toll.
Through it all, Gangie has been the best reminder of my family especially when the busy streets of this tiny NY island makes me feel lonely. My Gangie makes me feel right at home and no longer am I stranded…
