Back then, when? I don’t remember but possible 23 to 25 years ago, three sisters entered a Duckwall’s Variety Store in Hugoton, Kansas. And came out with some dolls. One of which is shown above as she looks today in my Christmas window display. She still looks nice for her age.

She brings me joy. Joy in memories? In possession? In value? In satisfaction? I don’t know what one would call this kind of joy. But it is not the same as being happy; not the same as instant gratification; not the same as feeling secure. Surely not the same as being on a drunken binge or any other drug addiction. Would I sell her? Not for any amount that one would pay for her. A funny/odd thing this thing called “joy.”

In the case of this doll, she does carry sentimental value because one of those sisters has gone on to Heaven.

Let me toss around another question. Does that mean she is a little god to me? No. I know she is just a manmade item worth almost nothing in currency value. She is a tare in a field of wholesome crops. If the house were on fire, I wouldn’t think of her. If someone knocks her off the shelf and she breaks into a jillion pieces, she will be swept up and put in an opened bean can and thrown in the trash, just as our broken bowl was this morning, causing me to stand very still in my bare feet as Sammy and ReNee came to my rescue. At that time, I was happy and thankful for their help, but I was not Joyful. 😀

BUT … back to the doll; she still brings me JOY.