Pillows

Faith is Like Your Personal Pillow

"You're not taking that pillow with on the airplane, are you?" Since my wife was speaking, it wasn't really a question.

"No, dear, I'm not." I resisted an urge to 'snap to' as I conformed.

"Good, because it's embarrassing to walk into a hotel with you holding your pil-woe and sucking your thumb like a baby." She went on packing.

"That's hardly the case, since I've always squired it away like contraband. And, we're not going through customs, after all." Besides, I've found I'm not the only one who hates those hotel pillows."

She turned and gave me one of those female looks. "Then, maybe you should travel with all the other little babies -- maybe take your blankie with, as well. Besides, if I can manage with a hotel pillow, so can you." She sniffed at me, and went back to the orderly placement of well folded fabrics.

"Big deal. You don't even use a pillow except, maybe, as a third presence rising between us -- like the Rockies." A thought came to me that I could start a church fellowship based on those who believe a soft pillow is necessary to the proper function of life. What a blessing it would be to be travel in the comfort of fellow believers, never again to be forced to justify the waste of suitcase space. Or, be faced with, "I'm sorry, Sir. You're allowed only two carry-ons. Maybe if you wore it under your shirt as a second stomach?"

Ultimately, the solution must rest in the succor of a hospice of our own creation.. Through unity of voice, we of the duck down could campaign for such gathering points wherever our migrations took us. True, mates of different feather would need to gather further down the road amongst sleepers of their own preference; but we could still ride the tour bus together.

After all, of what import is the poor excuse for a pillow, which hotels provide us, to one who tosses it upon the floor? How can one, so lacking in commonality, possibly understand the underlying issues of emotional need? Even among pillow travelers, and I have found they are legion, there is a marked lack of agreement on the particular style of pillow needed. Else, there would be no problem with the polyfoam lumps provided us by innkeepers.

Still, there is consensus on the need for personal choice. Well, there is the congregation of polyfoam lump head resters. They, in their smug self righteousness, believe their views justified by the wide spread acceptance of their practice. After all, if they are not "in the truth," why is it the God of linens rains upon them their chosen manna of sleep?

Personally, I believe the Congregation of Polyfoam Lumps lacks perception. I cannot believe they have ever even tried a good feather down pillow. How could anyone, having once rested their head in the embrace of such a bosom, ever again be satisfied with having their neck turned into a nocturnal elbow? Yet, the point remains, in this country we are all free to chose our personal pillow structure. So, as long as we understand this basic truth, pillow users can, at least, acknowledge that we each have the right to our personal belief.

The true threat lays its head in the assertion that no pillow is needed at all. That I cannot agree with, and I will fight against such heresy with all my intellect. So, I make a decision: I will respect the need for variation in pillow doctrine as long as my specific comfort is respected. But, to those who insist I conform to some industry standard, I will rise up in need of a pillow fight.

"Honey, I've changed my mind. I'm taking my pillow. I don't mind breaking bread with those of varied billow beliefs, nor do I really care if my daughter marries one of them. However, no pillow atheist has the right to dictate how to me how to satisfy my personal sleep structure."

Now, if you will all excuse me, I have to figure out how to stuff this pillow into that suitcase.

"Ho-ney...!"

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