What's in a Doll?
When my Aunt Melinda passed away in 2024, one of the things that was left for me to uncover and redistribute was a trunk full of dolls and doll clothes. I couldn’t bear to part with most of them. I had to look the other direction while placing the ones that were missing limbs in the trash bin. They were precious to her, not to mention the fact that I have an uncanny ability to personify inanimate objects. I had the benefit of not knowing these dolls my whole life the way she did; she would never have thrown any of them away, as is evidenced by the fact that they remained in her estate after her death. Even today, I question whether I did the right thing. What I did do, however, was select my favorite of Melinda’s favorites, bring her home, wash her dress, and give her a place of honor behind the glass of the barrister bookcase, just below the shadow box that contains mementos of Melinda’s life. I have no idea what name Melinda may have given her, which is unfortunate because I name eve...