My aunt came over after attending a benefit silent auction. Triumphantly she lifted a hand-woven Irish mohair blanket out of a shopping bag. "$25.00, " she gloated, "Can you believe it! I don't know why no one else wanted it." It was very soft and warm, but the pastel colors looked touristy to me.

Several years later, I got married. The wedding present from my aunt? You guessed it--the mohair blanket. I am sure she has no memory of telling me how she got it. I put it away thinking maybe I could pass it on one day.

Then we moved into a drafty house where it turns out the blanket (colors notwthstanding) is the perfect antidote. But by far the best thing about it is getting to tell this story to whoever is using it. It's an inextricable part of the blanket's charm.

My aunt likes to cultivate an allure of perfection, but I have evidence to the contrary! The best gift she gave I can't thank her for--but now you can enjoy it. I'm keeping her blanket.
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