Marigold's Rescue

Edited out: A couple of weeks ago, I went to Barnes and Noble for the sole purpose of finding journals that might appeal to boys. I realize that what I’m getting ready to say is going to sound stereotypical, but most of the journals that we have to give as writing prizes are geared toward girls—adorned with purples, pinks, and bright greens; with flowers, dots, and hearts. While I know that there are boys who would be happy with these journals, I also know that most of the boys who write for the weekly writing challenges are more into gaming, hunting, and traditional sports playing. Now, before you scream offense, please note the qualifications with both of those sentences. I know that we have girls who are into gaming, hunting, and traditional sports playing, too. This is precisely why we let students choose their prize journal…and if at student chooses something that he/she might get picked on for, then we give it to him/her in a discreet way at the end of the day.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Barnes and Noble for the sole purpose of finding more prize-journals for school. I did not accomplish my purpose. Instead, I walked away with zero prize-journals and seven bags of presents for friends and family members—including baby gifts for the two pregnant baristas in the store Starbucks. Yes, folks: this is typical of Deanna at the Barnes and Noble clearance sale.

One of that day’s gifts that I’m most excited about giving is an American Girl sewing/activity kit that I bought for Amelia. This past summer, she took an American Girl sewing class at a day-camp and had a really nice time. I wasn’t sure if Amelia was still interested in American Girl dolls—I think we all know how interests can come and go in the worlds of the children that we love—so I wrote my sister to check on the current American Girl doll interest level. We are still high on the interest-level scale and it doesn’t seem to be fading, so I took a risk and bought the American Girl stuff—hoping and trusting that Amelia would be happy with her gifts either way. She really is a positive, grateful child.

Something you should know about Amelia’s American Girl doll collection: Most of Amelia’s dolls were purchased second-hand. I find this neat because 1) the dolls are evidently very expensive and I’m a fan of not spending more money than is absolutely needed, and 2) Amelia has no idea nor does she care that someone before her once took care of the dolls. She loves her dolls as if she is the only person ever to love them—yet—she’d still love them if she were knowingly the fifteenth person to care for them. Here’s how I know this to be true:

Amelia and Griffin are on fall break this week. [Yes. They’re in elementary school.] For their first night of fall break, they came to spend the night at the house. Even though I was in and out at church all day yesterday, I still got to spend a few hours with these two amazing kids who had grown about ten inches since the last time I’d seen them (okay—that may be an exaggeration). During lunch, Amelia was excited to share that she had gotten a new doll. Knowing her propensity toward American Girl dolls, I asked if it was an American Girl doll. She informed me that it wasn’t. It was another kind of doll that she had rescued from a consignment sale. Did you hear that? My niece rescued a doll from a consignment sale!

Evidently, this doll was in bad shape. My sister said that it looked like she had been at the bottom of the toy bin for a very long time. Amelia said that she was really dirty, that her hair was a mess, and that her face was dented in. But for some reason, Amelia really wanted her. She saw potential in the doll. She wanted to save her. Amelia couldn’t rest until she’d rescued the doll.

Marigold, as she has now been named—although I heard Amelia say “Miracle” which would have been appropriate—is currently clean, with a new hairstyle, and with less sunken-in cheeks. She has been washed with a Clorox-wipe, brushed with a tiny brush, plumped up, and properly dressed. Marigold is now part of Amelia’s doll family, non-American Girl doll though she may be.

I don’t think I need to tell you how proud this story makes me. Amelia, age seven, believes in redemption without even knowing what redemption is. She sees potential in the people and things around her and then works to save what needs to be rescued—name-brand or not. And, really, what can be more beautiful than that?