This is the doll my mother made from an old dress of mine and her own wedding dress.

I have been trying to simplify our house. This means that I am going through things and either giving away or tossing things that we will never need. (If you were to walk though our house today you would not believe that this is my goal because I really haven’t made a dent.)

Just take this doll, for example. Who would ever want it? It is actually hand-sewn fabric over an old plastic milk bottle. BUT, the blue velvet is from the only “good” dress I had as a little girl. My sister had one just like it and when she grew out of hers she had to wear mine for a few years!!! We knew when we got to wear this dress with our black patent leather shoes it was a special day, such as at Christmas time.

Then, the lace is from my mother’s wedding dress.

I will never forget the joy on my parents’ face when, after we had walked in adulthood for many years, they presented my sister and me with these gifts. This is mine with blond hair. My sister’s is just like it with brown hair.

I have considered what to do with it but my arm does not seem long enough to take it off the shelf where it sits. It really doesn’t take up much space, except in my heart.