Rachel presents: Rhonda's Paper Doll Memories

It is only my memory that keeps my Grandma, Mary, with me. A paper doll is involved in one of my earliest memories of my Grandma.

My first paper dolls came at the "magical" time of year that fills childrens hearts and minds with awe and wonder: Christmas. I think that it was my Grandma who gave me my first paper dolls. I would have been 4 - 5 years old. My Grandma had come for a visit. She lived in Florida, we lived in California. Of course, Grandma spent most of her visit with my Mother and other grown ups.

But just a few days after Christmas, I had Grandma all to myself. We sat beneath the glow of a living room lamp, in our p.j.'s, robes and slippers. The Christmas tree was still sparkling, the fire place was burning low. We were cutting out the paper doll clothes. Grandma was telling me stories about when she was a little girl. Her stories included her Mom, my Great Grandmother. We folded the tabs on the dolls clothes and tried different outfits on my doll, making up stories about where she would wear such an outfit.

I don't recall the doll stories, but I do remember things that my Grandma shared about herself, and her Mom. These are things that I may never have known if we hadn't spent that private time together, playing.

Before Grandma went home that year, she showed me how to make my own paper doll clothes, using some of the Christmas wrapping paper that she'd set aside. She showed me to use the backs of the paper to color and create my own outfits, too. The little doll inspired creation.

I don't remember the face of my first paper doll. She had brunette hair and a shiny, sturdy body. What I remember most is my Grandma's profile, back lit by the fire place. I remember the lift of her mouth when she shared a particularly sweet memory. I remember her soft perfume, the smell of oranges and pine. I remember the warmth of our good night hug.

These paper doll memories are shared by Rhonda G. owner of OMGNetwork.com, an Online Marketing Group Network and WOGShopCom, one of her auction sites. If you have a paper doll memory that you would like to share, contact Janey at memories@pjscorner.net, fill out the form on either our home page or PJ's Paper Doll page, or send a letter to PJ's Corner, Attn: Janey Loree, PO Box 39, Taft, CA 93268.