Friday, December 5, 2008

Autobiography 2

My favorite toy as a child? Well, it is one my whole family has not forgotten. As a matter of face, almost 12 years later, it is still in use. My favorite toy was probably the ugliest looking thing anyone had ever seen. I think the best description I could give is Raggety Ann on crack. She had yellow hair, a blue dress, a red body, and a blue face. Her smile was the only thing that was the least bit human. This "thing" was a doll. It was given to me on my first birthday as a gift. My grandma brought it to me on one of her annual visits. I'm not really sure what I ever saw in this toy. Part of me thinks I did it to annoy my mother. At first glance, I thought it was the most horrible thing I'd ever seen, but to be polite, I acted like I loved it. I took her from my grandma, and headed up to my room where all my other dolls resided. I decided to name her Betty Lou, and play tea party with her. She soon became attached to me, and I refused to leave her behind regardless of where we were going, she even went to school with me. She'd sit in my backpack in my cubby and await my return. One night, I couldn't find her. We had been playing at my grandma's and when we came home I couldn't find her. I was horrified. My best friend was missing. The house was turned upside down in the search for Betty Lou. She was thankfully safe and sound, just simply hiding under the couch. Betty Lou hated taking a bath, and I used to have to hide her from my mother, and I caught her trying to sneak in and steal Betty from my grasp to wash her. Betty had her own place at the table and in the car, as well as her own bath towel and table setting. Betty had truly become my best friend.

Ask me about it now, and you'll get a blush. I don't remember all these things. After I started packing for college and came across her again , I thought putting her on a special shelf was the best way, but I think she was soon stuffed in the toy box. My mom pulled her out when I was home for break to surprise me, and I'd honestly not only forgotten about her, but thought she was long gone. Tears came to my eyes and I loved her once again. Not with the same passion of course, but true love just the same.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Autobiography 1


When I was a little girl, I had a pair of high heels, that belonged to my great grandmother, and then my grandma, and then my mother, and then to me. They are quite the beautiful shoe, 3 inch heel, solid black, velvety, and pristine in condition. They were worth a solid hundred dollars or more when they were purchased and had accumulated much more worth throughout the years. In their day they had been worn to parties, social events, funerals, and graduations. While cleaning out my closet one day I came across them and as I touched the heel of the shoe, was reminded of all my days running around and pretending to be Cinderella. Running down the stairs, losing my slipper, and then awaiting Prince Charming in the comfort of our Lazy-Boy.

I began to remember how I used to believe in fairy tales? That fantasy of what my life would be, white dress, Prince Charming who would carry me away to a castle on a hill. I'd lie in bed at night and close my eyes, and I had complete and utter faith. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Prince Charming, they were so close, I could taste them. But eventually, I grew-up. One day, I woke up, opened my eyes, and the fairy tale disappeared. Most people turn to the things and people they can trust. But the thing is, its hard to let go of that fairy tale completely, because almost everyone still has that smallest bit of hope, of faith, that one day they'll open their eyes and it will all come true.