inspired by my old rag doll

It's difficult to say why this doll remains so special to me. I had a whole collection of dolls at one time. I even had a huge walkie talkie doll who walked if you twisted her arms, and talked if you turned her on her tummy.
Only Sarah shared my secrets and took care of all the other dolls for me.

One day, my best friend and I decided we would swap favourite dolls for the weekend to give them a holiday. I had charge of a big china doll and, of course, my friend took care of Sarah. What I hadn't been aware of was that Sarah's features had faded, and so my friend very thoughtfully painted them in again. What a shock I got when Sarah came home. It took me some time before I got used to her changed features.

I have made her a new dress with a matching hair ribbon. Her arms have been mended to stop the rags falling out and she has a smart new pair of handmade shoes. Her face looks a little careworn now, but for me, it still retains that wise and gentle expression. I doubt that we will ever be parted!


I