I had heard stories about Suzie, but one warm spring day I would finally meet her in person.
It was early 90's and my almost daily visits to the assisted living apartment building where my mom lived, never happened without my 2 year old daughter Lindsey tagging along with her baby doll of choice. Lindsey loved visiting Grandma. It was warm in her apartment and it seemed that the sun brightened Grandma's small apartment even on the coldest and cloudiest of days.
One day shortly after we arrived, Mom got a phone call from the man upstairs.
No - I mean... really - the man upstairs.
His name was Oney. He wanted us to come up to his apartment.
Oney had cancer and according to Mom, he was a little 'strange' but very kind.
He lived alone in his 3rd floor apartment. Well... he wasn't quite alone. He did have Suzie.
Suzie was a doll.
Suzie was his life.
He spent much of his day in his rocking chair by the window, singing and talking to her... and rocking her back and forth.
A little strange, eh?
Or maybe just different... who can say.
When we arrived at Oney's apartment he kissed Suzie on the forehead,
then he asked Lindsey if she would adopt her and take care of her.
"I've watched you just about every day for the past year," Oney said. "You get out of your car and walk to the building.. and this little girl always holds her doll tightly in her arms, taking such good care of it, sometimes talking to it and kissing it. I know Suzie will have a good home with her."
Tears filled his eyes as he watched us walk away. He died several months later.
We painted Suzie's nails and lips and put a wig on her tattered, matted hair. Then we'd dress her, according to whatever holiday was close.
She was always 'hanging around' and she was loved.
When Lindsey grew up, and didn't care to have her anymore...
and when she started getting in my way
(and spooking me when she'd stare at me with those stone cold piercing greenish eyes),
we sold her on ebay.
I guess there comes a time in our lives
when we must just move on.
What a strange story from your life. Something tells me you have lots more, too. I want to hear them all! This is you at your best.
ReplyDeleteHe knew his time on this earth was short, so he let his beloved doll go. Then you and your daughter breathed new life into her, until it was time to let her go to another home. What a touching story.
ReplyDeleteAwww.... what a heart - tugging story... and how kind y'all were to that old man....
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear more of your stories, also!
Hugs,
Jenni
I think this story is beautiful,
ReplyDeleteYou do tell good storys.
I think the doll is in a new home and being loved
nitey nite
love
tweedles
I think it was touching that Oney wanted to give Lindsay Suzie to "raise" for him. I'm sure for the time she was at your place she was loved, like she is being loved somewhere else :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Great story Bobbie! Wonder where she is now........
ReplyDeleteAnd Suzie may very well still be here....passed from home to new home...to anyone who needs her. This is a beautiful story and not strange at all.
ReplyDeletePeeS....Da above written by mee Momma cause mee was takin' a nap at da time! Nighty Night!
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ReplyDeleteAwwww, he knew he had found a home for Suzie. That was a special gift.
ReplyDeleteOh what a sweet day when he let Suzie go... bless his little heart! She was loved and cared for and he knew that would happen! Sweet story... not strange to me:) HUGS!
ReplyDeleteNow that was a sweet story!!! Not strange at all. Oney knew Lindsy would take good care of Suzie. Hugs, LJ
ReplyDeleteI am sure that Oney was glad that Suzie got a good home. This was a wonderful story Bobbi.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sweet, sweet story but you are definitely right about those eyes!
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