61 sentiments shared

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

1. Kate F says:

   Serendipity.
   I hope she reads your Blog – it should giver her some peace.

   
2. Alissa Ferullo says:

   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.

   
3. Kaz Shore says:

   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

   
4. Devon Smith says:

   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.

   
5. Rebecca says:

   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.

   
6. Liza says:

   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

   
7. ~plaid says:

   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.

   
8. Robyn Geering says:

   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.

   
9. Hope says:

   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

   
10. Mandy Toa says:

    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!

    
11. Keri Bryant says:

    Ah. Tears aggain.
    Your artistry carries over from your pictures into your words. Absolutely beautiful.
    Thank you.