The Heirloom Cot

This is a cot that was made for Nene Mama, about 50 years ago! Made of solid teak with a base of wrapped cotton bands, it has seen generations of us play in it and grow up. Strangely, I'm probably the exception, never having used this cot. My sister grew up in it (in fact we all have memories of her jumping up and down in it and falling through the base!)

The cot had been refurbished and was with my cousin Piya, who had last used it for her son Prithvi, the first of the next generation. It was lying in disuse for a year or so, when my hubby picked it up from her. We repolished the cot and my hubby washed the base with dettol and hot water. Then it was aired and sun dried for 2-3 days before we set it up.

The cot now travels with its own bedding! It came with a mattress, side railing wrap, side cushions, a couple of pillows and 2 sets of bedding. Additionally, Pappi Didi had sent a bedding set from US (which they delivered the blue/white version instead of the pink/white she had ordered!!). It was quickly set up and very soon covered with soft toys all around it and a lovely brand new mobile from the fisher-price rainforest series. The cot is also great for keeping burp cloths at hand when we carry her around!

Currently, Ishi uses the cot only to sleep at night. At daytime, she uses her play gym (fisher-price ocean series) or her bouncie (fisher-price rainforest series) when she is not being held in someone's arms (which scores over everything else!). The cot is her cosy place to sleep in as we tuck her in at night under her pink blankie and fur overwrap which her nani dida got from europe!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue....thats the old victorian tradition for a bride at her wedding, symbolizing family, future, friends and loyalty/love. We wish the same for Saisha, from her birth and throughout a long, well-lived and meaningful life.