A short sharing by my son…

All About Mum’s Comfort Bolster

Mum had this bolster with her since her teenage days, I think. It was specially sewn by Grandma on an old-fashioned sewing machine. She then stuffed some cotton wool into it. A simple piece of cotton floral cloth was used to sew the cover. A very simple bolster, it appears ,but very comfortable and special as it reminds Mum of Grandmother’s tender loving care towards her.

The bolster has flattened over the years by Mum’s nightly hugs and squeezes and Grandmother would replace the cotton wool every now and then and she would change the cotton cover too.

Mum will sleep with it every night. I suspect it has her salivas and tears on it when she cries herself to sleep during sad days. That’s why my sister and I comment that it stinks. But to Mum, it is the smell of love.

It has never left her side except when she goes on holidays or camps. Mum would take it along if it can be squeezed into the luggage. Alas, it is no soft toy and cannot be done. However, Mum brought it along with her to her new house after she got married to Dad. Grandmother even tailored a new cover for her for that special occasion!

The bolster is really flat now but it is still very cozy and comfortable. The sewing machine is no longer working and Grandmother is getting old. Replacing the cotton wool and the cover may not be possible now. Mum is still clinging on to it no matter how smelly and tattered it is.

The bolster will always hold a special place in Mum’s heart as it is a symbol of Grandmother’s love for Mum, her precious child. Mum wishes that she can leave something for my sister and me, the way Grandmother does it for her.