"Think about one of the most wonderful experiences in your life.... imagine yourself back in that moment.... how you felt and what was going on around you. Now spend a few moment writing down a description of that experience and how you felt. Do not worry about your spelling, punctuation or grammar. Instead, simply commit your thoughts to paper."
I remember the day we changed from sheets and blankets to duvets. I think I was about 9 or 10 years old. I'd always loved my bed and to this day, the feeling of crawling in to fresh linen is a simple pleasure that I savour. My mum arrived home one day, without warning that I recall, with four new duvets, one for me and each of my three siblings. Duvets were very modern and alternative in our neighbourhood - although it was the 70's, we were not in Europe and eiderdowns at my Nana's were the closest I'd ever come to experiencing anything like them. And those lay on top of heavy sheets and blankets only in the very coldest weather. This was a whole new approach to beds. I wonder now if it was partly a way to simplify the bed-making process but whatever the reasons, I loved them from the start. I remember clearly the excitement of anticipating bedtime that first night and I think we went to bed especially early that evening. If I close my eyes I can clearly picture the feeling of lying under that light and fluffy whiteness, so cosy and safely cocooned, and I remember looking across at my sister (we shared a bedroom still) and thinking how cute she looked with just her little blond head peeking out the top of hers. Memories of the two of us lying in bed at night in the dark, swapping stories, listening to the little transistor radio, and sharing our thoughts, remain some of my very happiest memories and forged a bond that can never be broken even now that we are on opposite sides of the planet. Like all sisters we argued, we fought, and we eventually had rooms of our own but we are still the best of friends and I still have some of my best night's sleep when D and I are under the same roof. The introduction of duvets to our bedtimes seemed to add something even more special - an extra level of comfort. I wonder if she remembers any of this and what her feelings about it were (if any). I must ask her...
