Thursday, March 8, 2012

MANDI ~ A TOY STORY


MANDI


I was a farm kid in NY back in the late 40's and until 1958. Life was simple. We probably didn't have a lot of money, but we were rich in love. My two sisters and I got toys for Christmas and our birthdays. That was pretty much it. The rest of the year, if we had anything new, it was homemade. A cradle for a small doll made out of a Quaker Oats box, large buttons on a string that whirled when we twisted the string and lots of construction paper and glue projects. We were NOT spoiled in any way. But of all of my toys, one was the most special. Meet Mandi….








Mandi was my first doll. My Mother made Mandi out of an old pair of Dad's socks. I imagine money was tight because Mom was very pregnant with my sister when my first birthday arrived. So, with a lot of love, Mom cut, stitched and stuffed a doll for me. I don't remember, of course, but I've been told it was love at first sight!






I still have Mandi. She is almost 60. Somewhere along the way, she lost her eyesight (buttons) and got a few holes, but loved nonetheless. When she was 50, I decided maybe she would like to have a dress. After all, she had been naked for 50 years! So I stitched up a dress for her….




As you can see, the simplest toy can become a treasure! My Mom stitched and stuffed those old black socks - for the love for her child. She embroidered a mouth - added buttons for eyes – for the love for her child. Mom said I carried that doll everywhere and slept with her too. I don't remember that. I don't even remember naming her...she has simply always been Mandi. I don't remember that there was little money for a little farm baby's first birthday... But, I do look at that old doll and see the love of my Mother. Yes – I remember the LOVE.


THIS IS A PICTURE OF LOVE!

14 comments:

  1. How wonderful! ♥ the story and that you have her still. ♥

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  2. I do still have her. She will soon be 64 years old!

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  3. Oh I love her Darlene! I remember a lady we knew when I was a kid that made sock babies like this, only she did animals of various kinds and stuffed them with old nylons. I loved to go over there and watch her work!

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    1. I bet they were really nice! I love a handcrafted gift more than the most expensive gift ever... It means so much more to me.

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  4. Aawww!!! I had a naked doll too when I was a kid :)Lovely dress and one of the sweetest post I've ever read online :)

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    1. Thank you soooo much for the "sweetest post" comment. As for the dress, I just threw it together - nothing fancy - to give as much of a folk look as I could. Faded material would have been better... Do you still have your doll?

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    2. Nope, I don't have the doll anymore Darlene. If I had her still, I would have asked you to be her couture :)

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    3. LOL... And I would have done it for you too!

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  5. That is priceless!! What a wonderful story!!! My mom made me a Raggedy Ann when I was little and I still have her. She sits astride one of my husband's toy tractors in top of the cupboards in my kitchen. I should have wrote about her, but I didn't think about it till I read your charming story.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

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    1. I would LOVE to see a pic of your Raggedy Ann!!! And your husband's toy tractor! I have a passion for old toys!

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  6. how awesome, darlene! and, by the way.. she's looking pretty spry for a 60 year old! :)

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  7. I imagine Mandi dancing to the tune of "Buffalo Gals" like in this video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QDImMabQZE

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    1. LOL...I think you are right on point with that observation.

      I LOVE that wee wooden dancer in the video! Thanks for sharing. I did enjoy watching it very much!

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