taking care of crissy.
One Sunday last month, blue skies, market day.
Pretty things all in a row.
And then Crissy.
In a stall filled with bits, more trash than treasure, she waited. The only thing sealed in plastic.
So, it seemed, she was precious.
“She’s pretty”, I said.
The lady smiled.
“How much do you want?”.
“Twenty-five dollars”, she told me, apology hovering. “See, she’s thirty six years old”.
She knew her age. Her child-hood doll. I bit my lip and frowned.
“She’s yours?”. It seems she was.
I probed. My sentimental self couldn’t not. I encouraged her to keep Crissy. I told her that I’d rather give her twenty five dollars and let her take her home.
I could not bare to see that doll just sold in a stall. Maybe it’s because I have not one single toy from my child-hood.
I saw her as priceless.
She quietly told me she was very unwell. That she had things to take care of.
She gestured to her best friend waiting to one side, also visibly upset at these life treasures being discarded.
She had no children, she lost her mother young. She didn’t need the doll any more.
I promised her Crissy would be well loved in our home.
We hugged.
I could have bought that doll when she told me the price. Thought no more, said nothing. The fear of over-stepping could have stopped me. But it didn’t. I made myself say out loud what swirled in my head. I trusted. And in return, I was given a gift. A reminder to cherish. When I see Crissy, I am grateful. That I have my Mum here, that I have a daughter to hand that pretty doll to. That I am not selling my childhood treasures to take care of business.
Thank you Crissy. You will be adored.
S x
Wow! That was awesome! Such a sweet story.
Fearlessness in action…just beautiful… :)
Oh that doll brings back memories for me! Is she the one that has a belly button that you push and her hair grows? I remember her as “velvet” Chrissy’s little sister. Chrissy was a little bit taller and had red hair. What a wonderful story and what a treasure!
Here’s a link to both crissy and velvet. SO excited to see one again- thanks!
oops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reyQVUyB9rQ
Yes, you’re right Carole..She is Crissy Velvet. We just called them all Crissy dolls as kids but there are a few different ones aren’t there?
x
I dont know exactly why, but this brought tears to my eyes. The doll is pretty, too. Usually Im scared of dolls but this one is cute!
that is beautiful. I am crying.
you are such a treasure.
jbxo
Trust you Sheye, to uncover Crissy’s history, and touch our hearts. I’m glad you shared. Thank you. XO
What a sweet and lovely store. It reminds me of this old lunchbox that my dad found at a store way past when it should still have been there. And would tell the story of how he found it on the very top shelf, “Way up high, where people can’t see and way in the back, where people forget.” I wish we still had that lunchbox. :(
Lovely story. You have such a gift with words. :)
how beautiful that it makes you grateful for your mum and your gorgeous daughter……i love it when something triggers us to be thankful……………..thanks Sheye x
Beautiful story! very sad though that one has to sell their childhood memories to take care of things! Chrissy is so lucky to have found a new & very loving family! Thank you for sharing this story Sheye…. stories like this always put things into perspective!
Love Tan xxx
so moving, thank you so much x
Tears and more tears.
I have nothing from my childhood too but I’m slowly hunting things down on eBay that I once-upon-a-time treasured so dearly.
{I just remembered… I saw a Beanie Kid at the tip last year and brought the poor thing home – Annika said it’s her job to love it and treasure it because it’s so not rubbish, it’s important and special – like Crissy is to Miss Ivy xx}
Some more tears.
xxxx
I am grateful I stumbled onto your website because everytime I read your latest post, I am reminded to be grateful for what I have in life and it is a gift you give to each of us who read your blog. You are an inspiration. Lovely story and gorgeous photo of your daughter “adoring” Chrissy. xx
That was beautiful. So glad Crissy found a good home.
So very sweet. Enjoy Miss Ivy.
What a sad story.. but it makes you so grateful for the things & people we have in our lives. I also do not have any toys from my childhood, so now I’ve turned into a sentimental horder.. keeping way too many of my children’s toys & clothes, just so they can look back at them when they are all grown up. I’m sure Ivy will have so much fun with her new little girl. xx
What a sweet story…. That along with the music going on in my background, brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing.
that’s beautiful, Sheye. with you and Ivy, the lady’s memories with chrissy can be preserved forever. it’s really, really beautiful :)
Why do you always make me cry!…What a wonderful story and an amazingly clear view of Treasures!..blessing Sheye!
My sister had a CHrissy doll and my sisters name was CHristy!
What an amazing treasure, when you put your heart out there Sheye, and
listen to peoples stories. You are an amazing person.
tara
What a beautiful story!
tears are welling! I love Chrissy’s big glorious eyes!
Chrissy could not have found a better home than yours.
Love,
Tania
Geez. how sad! You made me cry…. beautiful story though, and I love the picture. My sister had that same doll.
Oh, wow. Chrissy will most definitely be well-loved and cherished. How blessed that lady was the moment you came along and were brave enough to inquire.
How adorable! And sad. My husband and I have sold numerous things that we regret selling in order to pay bills…childhood things. Thankfully, my parents keep most of my childhood toys well guarded in their attic!
Oh Sheye, you are a special lady!
You really make me stop and think [ponder/deliberate!! ]…this is such an important story that you have shared an at such a perfect time for me.. you see, yesterday my boys and I cleared out their wardrobes … me being the minimalist I am, wanted to toss so many things that the boys wanted to keep.. mmm, now i am retrieving some items from the St Vinnies box!
I wonder if Crissy realises just how lucky she is?!
THANKYOU xox
You are so real & I am proud to call you my friend.
Love you
x
What an inspiration.. not only Chrissy, but you as well :)
too sweet!
Again another one of your posts that brings tears to my eyes.
Oh my how beautiful to see Velvet on your blog Sheye. My girls have my Velvet and my baby Chrissy, and I was so proud to hand them over to them. Beautiful story Sheye.
Oh, just a gorgeous story, I am sure you will treasure your chrissy with all your heart, knowing what meaning is behind it
Actually, I think my “chrissy” is still at mum’s. off to rescue her for my princess to treasure (and sadly yes, I am sure my Chrissy is 35 years old too!)
Oh wow…xo
I love that story.
Beautiful story. Miss the Sunday marked days, they were so much fun!! Even if, the marked we used to go to, were farmers marked:)
How cute is that. :) I’m impressed that you actually talked to her. And I’m inspired to do the same if I ever get the chance. To hear out someones story, I would love that.
I had a teddy as a kid and he lost his leg one time and my mom gave him to charity. I cried for days, but I remember she comforted me with telling me that Teddy now made some little girl somewhere happy instead. And that did comfort me. :)
Beautiful.
And I think Chrissy looks kinda like Miss Krysta.
She’s beautiful. And so are you. So many people would have not only cared to ask about the Chrissy – but they would have said something like – “I’ll give you ten” ~ I am confident that the woman who sold Chrissy to you and your sweet sweet girl will rest easier knowing that she is going to be well taken care of and loved.
xoxo
what a great story. i hope that woman has easier days. cheers to crissy and the love she brings!! xo
What a moving story.
Love the pictures and how you caputured Ivy’s expression and posture that just shows how much she is going to love and protect and take care of Crissy. Simply Beauty Full!!!
:)
What a sweet and sad story. I hope you keep Chrissy for the next 36 years!
Precious. I wonder if Crissy’s previous owner reads your blog and can see how much Ivy adores her?
I’m in a quandry – what to do with Jenna’s toys? I also have no childhood toys and started collecting items for Jenna that were meant to be well loved and well played with and ultimately passed on to her daugther(s). NOW what? I can’t bear to part with them.
Beautiful story. I often see how things from my childhood take new meaning for my children.
What a beautiful, beautiful post. Thank you for talking to her. Thank you for caring. Thank you for hugging. And thank you most of all, for encouraging us to do the same.
thankfully it was you who stopped by her stall and will care for a little bit of her childhood treasures. very sad and yet you will bring new life and a new chapter to a memory.
Sheye… I keep coming back to read this post and I still don’t know what to say or how to feel. My initial reaction is saddness for the lady ~ for being in the situation she is in. How glad I am that you walked passed and gave her the time, love and acknowledgement that she so deserved.
You’re a beautiful person Sheye ~ inside and out.
Of course, the photos are sublime. xxx
Serendipity.
I hope she reads your Blog – it should giver her some peace.
Such a sweet post – you have the biggest heart! We that wear them on our sleeves are better off for it, right?! =) Have a great week.
Oh Sheye I had that same Doll..She was my fav and i only parted with her about 5 years ago.She was called Velvet..not sure if that was the original name but i think so .I am thinking maybe Chrissy was the brown haired one but could be wrong,not that it matters anyway as we can name them what our heart desires.Such a nice story
Oh the memories. My cousin had Chrissy (brunette) and her prettier cousin Velvet. I actually knew a girl named Velvet who had black hair and eyes and creamy white skin, the perfect Velvet looks really and so never thought of doll Velvet as such, she was redubbed Violet because of her dress. That the hair really grew was a source of endless fascination and at 5 I would tug on my own shag, willing it to grow into a long ponytail, Chrissy-like.
That you would recognize her childhood treasure and adopt that care when purchasing it says everything. Chrissy Violet was waiting that day for you to come along.
I’m totatlly fighing back tears. Gosh, it’s just a reminder what people all around are going through right now. You were meant to take Chrissy home with you. Thank you for sharing.
Hiya Sheye…I too had a Chrissy doll called ‘Brandy’ (w/ the pony tail that pulled out at the press of a button). So cool. Is’nt it amazing how a manufactured piece of plastic & nylon has a story to tell? (past & present). It only took a sentimental soul to find it out. Love that about cha x
The thing that came to my mind as I started reading this was how I had sold my childhood toys on ebay when we were earning money for Dominic’s headstone. And I was so grateful when I sold my Young Astronaut Cabbage Patch kid that the buyer let me know that she worked at NASA and that the doll was going to have a home there. It comforted me, because that doll had been part of my “crew” in the days that I *was* a Young Astronaut (I know, I’m such a nerd). In some ways saying goodbye to those things was healing because it reminded me that it was not as hard as saying goodbye to my little son. Then as I finished reading your post I was thinking about how I don’t have those childhood treasures to sell in exchange for a headstone for Bridget. But I do cherish those insights I exchange them for. You have such a sweet way of expressing yourself in so many ways. I cherish the gifts you share.
This is showing my age, I had and still have this doll, this is Velvet. My sister had and still has Chrissy, her brunette sister. Both with their hair that grows. LOVE LOVE LOVE her.
My daughter also passed away at the age of 6. I know it is hard to live everyday knowing someone so precious has just left you forever and will never come back. I have cried so many tears, wishing my daughter was alive and well. Everynight I see it happen, every morning I wish it was a dream. I guess I am not alone when it comes to feeling pain. I truly wish you and your family well. I hope that you will live a happy full life with your beautiful family.
Few pictures of my wounderful daughter, who is missed dearly.
http://i37.tinypic.com/14e8g0l.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/2j65j88.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/orlamg.jpg
Wow! what a beautiful story! I still have my Velvet doll at my mum’s house. I think I trimmed her hair – oops! but she’s still beautiful. Ivy looks so happy with her Chrissy Velvet doll.
Hope, your daughter is SOOOOOOOO beautiful!
Ah. Tears aggain.
Your artistry carries over from your pictures into your words. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you.