Christmases Three
Christmas Eve 1925 - Sidney, New York
A three-year-old is at a window, looking up into the night sky, watching for Santa. Her father suggests that he and she go for a ride in their new Franklin, the better to look for Santa. The child has a secret wish so sincere that she will not share it. She wants a little Victorola all her own and she knows that Santa will grant that wish. Mother will stay home affixing small candles to their Christmas tree. Outdoors, there is no sign of Santa, so he must have come invisibly, certainly. Indoors, the tree is beautiful. Dozens of candles are reflected in multicolored glass baubles. On the sofa there is a Teddy Bear, all brown plush fur, almost as large as the child. His eyes are bright and his arms are extended to her for a hug. No time for a hug. The search is on for the little Victorola she knows must be hidden somewhere. Eventually she realizes there is no Victorola and is greatly disappointed. There is only Teddy.
Christmas Eve 1930 - Chicago, Illinois
The little girl, now eight years old, has had baby dolls given her the last few Christmases. None of the dolls are particularly interesting - the paper dolls she has created are her favorite playthings. She would still like to have her own Victorola, but that wish will soon be forgotten. Teddy Bear still sits, lonely. This Christmas Eve she is given a new doll: Patsy Ann, who is so much like the little girl herself that she feels she has found a friend. There is an old superstition that at midnight on Christmas Eve toys will come alive. Patsy Ann and Teddy Bear are much the same size. The child places them side by side on the sofa and positions them in a certain way so that she can tell on Christmas morning if they have moved. The two toys have found each other and will never again be far apart.
Christmas Eve 2006 - Kalamazoo, Michigan
A few years ago, after the death of her mother, the little girl now grown old, found Patsy Ann in pieces which had been carefully placed by her mother in a shoebox for safe keeping. Patsy Ann needed only a short stay at a Doll Hospital to be put together good as new except for a few worn places on her arms and hands. Teddy Bear had always been nearby and had been repaired with a patch on one arm. His fur is thin in places and he has lost his "voice" but he is still huggable and his eyes still twinkle. Patsy Ann has acquired a new wardrobe, in keeping with the times. Teddy Bear has his own chair. The two are always together - and are beloved.
This is how they look today!
Merry Christmas, and may all of you have precious memories of toys once beloved.
A three-year-old is at a window, looking up into the night sky, watching for Santa. Her father suggests that he and she go for a ride in their new Franklin, the better to look for Santa. The child has a secret wish so sincere that she will not share it. She wants a little Victorola all her own and she knows that Santa will grant that wish. Mother will stay home affixing small candles to their Christmas tree. Outdoors, there is no sign of Santa, so he must have come invisibly, certainly. Indoors, the tree is beautiful. Dozens of candles are reflected in multicolored glass baubles. On the sofa there is a Teddy Bear, all brown plush fur, almost as large as the child. His eyes are bright and his arms are extended to her for a hug. No time for a hug. The search is on for the little Victorola she knows must be hidden somewhere. Eventually she realizes there is no Victorola and is greatly disappointed. There is only Teddy.
Christmas Eve 1930 - Chicago, Illinois
The little girl, now eight years old, has had baby dolls given her the last few Christmases. None of the dolls are particularly interesting - the paper dolls she has created are her favorite playthings. She would still like to have her own Victorola, but that wish will soon be forgotten. Teddy Bear still sits, lonely. This Christmas Eve she is given a new doll: Patsy Ann, who is so much like the little girl herself that she feels she has found a friend. There is an old superstition that at midnight on Christmas Eve toys will come alive. Patsy Ann and Teddy Bear are much the same size. The child places them side by side on the sofa and positions them in a certain way so that she can tell on Christmas morning if they have moved. The two toys have found each other and will never again be far apart.
Christmas Eve 2006 - Kalamazoo, Michigan
A few years ago, after the death of her mother, the little girl now grown old, found Patsy Ann in pieces which had been carefully placed by her mother in a shoebox for safe keeping. Patsy Ann needed only a short stay at a Doll Hospital to be put together good as new except for a few worn places on her arms and hands. Teddy Bear had always been nearby and had been repaired with a patch on one arm. His fur is thin in places and he has lost his "voice" but he is still huggable and his eyes still twinkle. Patsy Ann has acquired a new wardrobe, in keeping with the times. Teddy Bear has his own chair. The two are always together - and are beloved.
This is how they look today!
Merry Christmas, and may all of you have precious memories of toys once beloved.
posted by marguerite louise at
9:00 PM
7 Comments:
Thank you to my daughter Marguerite (Stitches of Violet) who took the photo of Patsy Ann and Teddy Bear.
By
marguerite louise, at 12/22/2005 10:06 PM
Ah, Teddy. So many memories of the wonderful knick knacks, toys and miscellany around Grandma's house. Especially prevalent at Christmas.
Merry Christmas. I will talk to you Saturday.
By
Tah, at 12/23/2005 1:31 AM
How nice to have your childhood toys!
All my dolls came from my Gram---the real, true doll---at Christmas. She loved the holidays and was the most excited adult I've ever met. When I was 14, she confided that because she was an orphan, she had never had a doll or teddy. You can guess what I gave her that Christmas! And she loved him so much that he was really quite ragged by the time she died.
Merry Christmas to All!
By
Anonymous, at 12/23/2005 8:49 AM
The story of the unanswered Christmas wish of a three-year-old is a sad one...but how lovely that from this "unanswered prayer" came a much more cherished gift: Teddy, who is with you to this day.
This post is a moving reminder that often when we don't get what we want, we end up with much, much more.
Merry Christmas!
By
Anonymous, at 12/25/2005 11:26 AM
Marguerite Louise, I am SO delighted by this post! I have finally had a bit of time during the holiday weekend to make it around to the blogs I have missed while in the deep swamp of 12-hour workdays and am very glad to have met you this year. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that the new year to come brings joy and grace.
By
Birdsong, at 12/27/2005 10:46 PM
Marguerite Louise, thank you for sharing. Carrie was right...even if you don't always get what you want or think you need...you end up with so much more.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and welcome 2006 with good health, good friends and peace.
By
Anonymous, at 12/28/2005 1:35 PM
I have been away for a while and not able to read your blog. I so enjoy it though and I am glad to be back. Thank you for this wonderful post.
By
Pamela, at 1/16/2006 3:52 PM
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