TheBanyanTree: Sorting "stuff"

[Gloria]

Monique's story reminded me of hubby Al & I in the garage last
weekend.  He wanted to clear some "stuff" out of the rafters.  The
first box held blocks, plastic tools and a pounding bench, a barn
complete with farm animals, and many other little toys that were the
focus of many playtime moments.  The first bag of stuff turned out to
be our two kids' stuffed animals and dolls.

Some of the animals had been visited by chipmunks looking for bedding
material and had the holes to prove it.  The musical Velveteen Rabbit
looked like the rabbit in the story.  Tattered, chewed, music
silenced.  It's because of the story that I couldn't let him go.
There's also a soft dog, dressed in silky camoflauge material, a faux
leather vest, and goggles.  These animals were our son Todd's
companions.  He can let them go, but I can't, not yet.  As happens so
often with daughters, a large collection of animals and dolls filled
the rest of the bag.  An Easter rabbit and goofy duck, a doll that
crawls and one that can be written upon and washed off.  Another doll,
well worn and crazily clad, couldn't raise a memory one from me.  It's
very similar to my first doll, which I still have.  I let that one go,
but now I wonder if that isn't the one I should've kept.  Other dolls
and animals were moved to the "toss" pile.  It was then that we found
"Patty Play Pal".  A large beautiful doll with a soft body and bright
eyes that continue to see.  The long blonde hair that was gorgeous at
one time has become a rat's nest, though the rat hasn't found it yet.
Al placed it in the toss pile without a second thought.  I couldn't
handle that!  This precious doll was also our family's daughter and
sister for about 3 years!  She graced our table, rode in grocery
carts, enjoyed visits to the park, swinging on swings and sliding down
slides.  She went to Grandma's, and well,  everywhere we went, Patty
went too, buckled in, boosted up, whatever it took to keep her happy.
When she first arrived at our home on a Christmas morning, she spoke!
Not only did she speak her mind, she responded to questions.  Oh yes,
she was no ordinary doll.  This was a little sister to a very little
girl.  It didn't matter that the little girl had to carry the bigger
little sister.  Kristi took great pleasure  in making sure Patty was
well taken care of.   Her dreams for a sister had come true.

I don't know whether Patty went to the curb with the others in the
toss pile.  I walked away from the whole experience, upset and
wondering why I have such an attachment to the childhood toys of my
children.  They aren't just toys, I reason.  They are reminders of
times gone by, of a small family and the good times they shared.  Yes,
I also played with those toys.  In fact, the four of us played with
those toys.   Many imagined scenarios were shared while rolling the
cars, trucks, and tractors.  We moved animals and people from place to
place and dreamt up the stories to go with them.   There are no
pictures of those ordinary days coming one after the other.  Perhaps I
need the tangible proof that those wonderful times did indeed happen.
I treasure the memories of those moments outside of celebrations,
holidays, homework, tending to chores, and the general passing of time
that didn't happen in a relaxed and playful manner.  For now, there
are toys to keep and memories to treasure.

Gloria aka Dreamer...always dreamin' of a kinder, gentler world for ALL