1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
My mother made me a "foster" mother to her childhood doll. Her name is Frances.
Decades ago, my mother gave me her childhood doll to one day pass along to one of my daughters and continuing the tradition into perpetuity, I guess. I was the caretaker. I treated this old doll with a cloth body and plaster head and arms. She has green eyes as did my mother.
Over the years the doll was given a special seat on an old Victorian rocking chair wearing the velvet dress that I had made for my youngest daughter's Christening. There was a beautiful bonnet to cover the crack in the plaster of Frances's head. The funny thing is, the daughter who wore that Christening gown grew into a child who was afraid of dolls. I apologized for her irrational fear of dolls since she shouldn't have watched Chucky, Bride of Chucky and Annabelle--and not to forget that old Alfred Hitchcock replay of the talking Tina doll, at her friend's house! I assured her that Frances was completely harmless.
Eventually, when she grew up, I gave her the Christening gown she wore. I hoped knowing a doll wore that dress for many years wouldn't come back to haunt her. So, Frances got a new outfit. And, it came with the perfect hat to cover the boo-boo on her head. Hey, nothing a little plaster can't fix. I intended to get that done--some day! Maybe her new mom will get that done.
Moving into the present day. My daughter and her husband from Kentucky visited recently. It was the first chance they had to take a traveling vacation in years. I told my daughter that it was time for me to give up my little ward, Frances. I had that doll sitting on a comfy Victorian seat for decades. I kind of got used to seeing her there. I knew this would be the occasion to pass Frances on to my eldest daughter. She of course knew she'd be the one who would receive my mother's doll one day, so I didn't spring it on her. She was happy about it. That made me feel relieved knowing that Frances had a home where she was wanted.
I gave her physical possession of the doll that was around 90 years old on the last day of their visit. I asked to hold Frances one more time. I can't believe my eyes started to tear up. I mean she sat down in a cushy seat for many years, and although I didn't pay much attention to her, I got used to seeing her there. I just lived my life around that fact.
I knew it was okay to let go of Frances. She will be in a home where she is wanted. And, I have honored my mother's request to pass the doll on to my eldest. Yesssssss! One family heirloom down--an attic full to go.
Where Frances ends up after I'm long gone from this world--I don't know. But I have a feeling that Frances will continue on somewhere down the family line. At least now, I am free from having to make that decision.
I received a photo of Frances sitting on a more modern chair at my daughter's home in Kentucky. She looked happy! I was relieved!
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
un: 
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Community Feed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Writings
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Sheets
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
Workspaces
Comedy: July 01, 2026 Issue [#13816]
I apologized for her irrational fear of dolls since she shouldn't have watched Chucky, Bride of Chucky and Annabelle--and not to forget that old Alfred Hitchcock replay of the talking Tina doll, at her friend's house! I assured her that Frances was completely harmless. 
