My mom gave me the best gift for Christmas this year. This is the letter that accompanied it:
This year I am sending to you these Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls I made so very long ago. You were just a very little girl when Aunt Elizabeth told me she had always wanted a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, but it was something that was so extravagant; something beyond the family meager budget. For Christmas that year, I set out to fulfill her childhood dream by finding her a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Sadly I was disappointed by the quality of the dolls on the market could find at that time. Store bought dolls just had their faces printed onto the fabric and were not very special. Of course we never dreamed of something like Internet of today, where everything is accessible at your fingertips, so I decided I would make a set of dolls to fulfill a wish she had from the time she was just a small girl!
We all called her Aunt Beatie and that was because when your Dad was a little boy, he could not say Aunt Elizabeth and somehow
his name for the wonderful woman became Aunt Beatie. She loved that
name!
I looked all over for a picture I can see clearly in my mind of you, James and Aunt Beatie in her kitchen between the table and range. You had your hair in pig tails. Unfortunately in my hunt, I could not find the picture I was hoping to send with these dolls.
I know you have some memories of this amazing woman. She had a giant heart and went about helping others. When she moved into the senior apartments in Sandy very late in her life, she would go around to the other apartments to check on the "old folks" in their 70's and 80's that needed help and assistance. Age didn't stop her, she was approaching 90 years old making sure all of these other "older' people were well taken care of and looked after. Aunt Beatie would make sure they were okay, open up their blinds to let the light in. She would dust their furniture and nick-knacks for them or help them with what little chore they needed done. Often she would bake a casserole and share it with a neighbor. It did not matter that most of the residents were much younger than she, caring for others kept her young and was who she was! I believe it helped keep her young and strong.
Aunt Elizabeth made the world's best chocolates. As a young girl she sat in the window of a candy shot downtown dipping chocolates all day long. She mastered the art of dipping a chocolate and how to superbly make the creamiest, most divine fondant. Aunt Beatie's handmade chocolates were exquisite! Although her ability to make these lovely handmade chocolates provided her income to live and to sustain Cousin Doug Caudell on his mission, they were always gifts to all she knew. Birthdays of friends and neighbors were always remembered with her chocolates.
These Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls stayed on Aunt Beatie's bed. I believe she gave them back to me when she sold her home and moved to the much smaller apartment. They have always been very special to me because of the memory of Aunt Beatie. When I made these dolls for Aunt Beatie, I also made you a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for Christmas. Your dolls were dressed in yellow to match your bedspread. Unfortunately, I did not like the way your dolls turned out and over time they disappeared.
The hair of these dolls has faded over time mainly from the sun streaming into Aunt Elizabeth's bedroom. I believe it gives them more character, just as most of our hair fades over time as we age...(Unless you have a Sandy Meadows in your life to keep your hair a beautiful youthful color.)... However, I still believe they are priceless and timeless.
Aunt Beatie passed away the end of summer at the age of 90 and 1/2. She had been healthy right up until the last 2 weeks when she became very ill and was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer. Her passing was quick with little lingering pain.
I know you will love these dolls for which they represent and will tell your children about the special woman for whom they were made.
We love you so very much.
Love,
Mom and Dad
My Aunt Beatie was my Grandma Davis' sister. When my Grandpa Davis had a heart attack when my dad was a young child, my dad was sent to live with Aunt Beatie and Uncle Wiley while Grandpa convelesed. My Grandma Davis died about 8 years before Aunt Beatie. Aunt Beatie loved us as her own. She never forgot our birthdays. It was a special treat to go to lunch with Aunt Beatie on my birthdays at Sizzler. I remember standing in line waiting for a seat and having Aunt Beatie turn around to the captive audience behind us in line. She would tap her teeth and say, "See these teeth! 89 years and they're all mine!" Then she would proceed to recite her daily regimen. It was the same every time- only her age changed. My mom was right, I've never had better chocolates than Aunt Beatie's. On Easter the best treat was her chocolate covered divinity egg. Also, it was because of Aunt Beatie that I stopped sucking my thumb. I still have a clear memory of picking up Aunt Beatie with my mom. I was leaning between the driver's and passenger's seat (before seat belt laws) and anxiously listening to mom and Aunt Beatie chat. I was sucking my thumb. Aunt Beatie noticed I was sucking my thumb and commented on it. I promised I would never suck my thumb again, and I didn't. Not even in my sleep. I was 4 years old. I didn't want to disappoint her.
I love you mom! Thank-you for the wonderful gift that reminds me of the wonderful women who have inspired me!
