Ni-Ni Baby

Now that my daughter Kyrstin has a house I am able to start giving her the many "things" that have been stored here at home. This week I ran across a box containing all of her dolls. After being stored for some 20 years now, they looked a little rough so I decided to clean them up before giving them back to her.

I scrubbed up their faces nice and clean, washed their clothing, mended any rips and tears, combed their hair and tied new ribbons in their hair where the old ones had disappeared years ago. Thank goodness Kinsey helped me as it turned into an all day job!

The most significant change concerned Kyr's "Ni-Ni" baby. She got this her first Christmas when she was 9 months old, and from that point on it- along with her "ni-ni "blanket, was tucked under her arm at bedtime and carried around during the day when she needed it. Needless to say, this little soft stuffed, pink, terry cloth dolly saw it's share of the washing machine and the wear and tear of being loved to death! By the time Kyrstin started finding other things to occupy her time, Ni-Ni Baby was without her glued on blue eyes, painted nose, stitched mouth and yellow yarn hair. Her pink body was faded, pilled, irregular in shape with her head flopping loosely from the stuffing being packed down. She had been repaired so many times I was at a loss of what else I could do to save her, so she was quietly, gently and loving tucked away with the rest of her fellow sister dolls; Blue Baby, Marlena, Delta, Sibyl, Edwin, Amanda and Leonora.

Well, this week Ni-Ni Baby became a challenge, but we got her to looking almost like her "ole self! Kinsey painted on new eyes, mouth and nose, and I worked on her hair and body; washing, stitching and stuffing her.

When all was done, I sat down and wrote Kyrstin a letter on behalf of the baby doll that was her faithful friend all of those years ago.

Here is the letter Kyrstin received today when we presented her the dolly that has been waiting to be loved again:)

Well, her I am,

all washed, stitched and clean.

Your mom and sis helped me

become as I use to be!

You loved me to pieces

till hair and face was gone;

But never did I mind;

'Cuz your arms had held me long.

With new hair in place,

my bib is trimmed too;

a smile and a nose,

blue eyes to see you...

The years have gone by,

past your childhood life.

But I stayed the same

as you became a wife!

But now it is time
to join you again.

A family you have,

it will be like "back when"...

Your chubby arms held me,

we were playmates, best friends.

You, me and Ni-Ni,

snuggling till nights end.

Except now I am fragile-

Perhaps I should sit

safe by your pillow

so you won't forget..

.

How special our time was...

Those precious years gone.

Now again I am with you,

Where I truly belong...

Your best friend, "Ni-Ni Baby"