Rug

10 minutes of prompted unspooling of thoughts pertaining to the rug laying on the floor

Rugs are so interesting

They, like the coat hanger, exist in so many places seemingly ignored. They are all so unique yet thought of often as extensions of the same fabric simply cause they serve the same purpose.

They are so often used as symbols

1. Wigs: as funny as it is homeowners and people who manage spaces can use a rug to dress up a floor, change a room, alter an atmosphere - it's like a character changing a wig.

2. Safety: in comparison to a bare wooden floor which is cold, bland, hand, a rug brings color, life, softness and warmth to both the space and the person standing on it.

3. Journeys: like the hunter who has a bear skin by his fireplace, or the affluent family who has a tiger or cheetah skin as their centerpiece, or like Aladdin who was able to find a friend in his rug that helped him find the love of his life and the story of a lifetime.

4. Culture: different rugs and mats are made of different things in different cultures to serve different purposes. To tell stories, to signify love and hard work, to bless a new family or home.

5. And for me, memories: This particular rug, particularly in its size brings me home. To my childhood living room rug. While the colors and patterns are much different, this rug face is tired and worn, a sign of good use: that much community has been made here, that many stories have been shared here.

And just like my rug at home, this one serves all the other purposes above - to change the atmosphere, to bring comfort and character, to partake in the journeys of the people who walk across it, and to signify the part it plays in the culture of this room.

2/24/25