Comfort -- rest -- peace

I talked a bit about comfort as in relation to my dogs a few days ago.  They are so funny and just precious when they sleep.  That was just the tip of the iceberg though when it comes to comfort.

Comfort, as the dictionary defines means to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to.  


It all got me thinking -- what brings me comfort?  Cade nursed for the first year of his life.  I still remember every morning the wonderful peace of mother-child bonding.  It may sound a little strange, but really it is quite sweet -- when Cade is cuddly and I have a sleeveless shirt on, Cade buries his nose on the bare skin of the front part of my shoulder.  I think in a creepy way that brings back memories of nursing.  


Children often have that special binkie, stuffie, blankie -- that item that is their security.  They know they are safe and secure as long as they have that item.  My sister had Paul R Bear.  It was this ratty, nasty looking white teddy bear that went EVERYWHERE with her.  She probably still has it somewhere because she never threw anything away.  


Then there is comfort food.  There is that food that reminds you of when you were a kid or reminds you of that favorite memory.  I don't know if I have a comfort food really.  I have foods that bring back memories, but I don't know that food really makes me comforted.  I have foods that I eat when I am stressed -- potato chips and chips and salsa.  


So, why do we have all of these things that comfort us?  As children, we find safety and security in our binkies.  Cade has fond memories of the smell of my skin (as weird as that may sound).  And, people have those foods that make them comfortable like meatloaf, chicken fried steak.  These are the foods that remind of safe happier times maybe.  


SO... are you comfortable?   Interesting thought.