This past weekend, Derek closed his ceramics studio, and I closed the doll shop, and we worked on the nursery. It was one of those weekends where you find yourself taking a deep sigh and thinking, "We should do this more often." So Derek painted while I helped update his website. It wasn't until recently that I started dreaming of things like how I might like a nursery. I found some inspiration photos on the internet that had large giraffes standing by, protecting the crib. I knew I didn't need to go out and purchase one as I had the best place to go.
I went shopping at Grandma's.
Dad lives next door, and I went over to his house and showed him my plan. We had put the studio Steiff collection in the basement for now. With Mom in Heaven, Dad has taken the opportunity to fill many of the spaces in the house with his collection of bronzes and cast iron toys. For their entire 51 year marriage, their home was filled with Mom's dolls, and teddy bears, and Dad was always OK with it. Now, it has been nice to see Dad enjoy his collection a little more.
It was hard to choose (it is a small nursery), but I went for the giraffe and the zebra. I have two excellent Zoo Keepers, my younger brother Paul and Derek, who had just worked hard picking up our nursery set across town.
When I started the Virtual Doll Convention and took over the doll shop, I didn't know where this journey would take me. We have been together through many of life's twists and turns, and I look forward to sharing so much more life experiences and joyful doll collecting together.
I suppose we should also talk a little business, but mostly, I wanted to check in with you and chat. We are creating weekly content on YouTube, releasing videos each week from our Shoot for the Stars Virtual Doll Convention; our next Ellowyne Collection is produced and due to ship to our shop any day now. After Ellowyne, we have Neema from Robert Tonner. She is a new character in the Ellowyne Series, and one of the most beautiful black dolls I have ever seen. Because of baby, we do not have an entire convention in the works, but we work every day to serve our community (you!), and we are always here when you need us. We love interacting with you through our shop Facebook Page.
If I could put a note in all of our lunchboxes for today, it would say:
Hi Sweet One,
You are doing exactly what you should be doing right now. Even if that is taking the day to sit on the porch and read your favorite book, even if you circle the same rooms, cross the same streets with the same people because all around, there are opportunities to be reminded what matters most. Take your time. Right here on this journey, you will find the strength you need and realize that:
You were guided by those who were once here.
And all along, you were seen right here on this Earth.
And all along, you were enough.
In Love and Dolls,
Rachel