mar's Desk

marcoujor: A Moment in Childhood

11/28/2016

Anyone who knows me will agree that I preferred stuffed animals to dolls as a child.

Mom did her best--gifting me a classic, blond Barbie doll when I was about six years of age. I thought I masked my feelings of disdain for this gorgeous, rail thin model of a doll. I should have known Mom could read me like a book. Soon, I started getting hand-sewn and crocheted clothing for Barbie, along the lines of a simple, tomboy look I could relate to.

Still, I treated this doll like the doll she was. At times, I was compelled to created stories for her. Barbie needed my plots, as she had absolutely no personality. She typically found herself as a damsel in distress from some evil force. As such, I was obligated to rescue her, allowing her to recuperate in my closet as I cared for my beloved menagerie of stuffed animals.

I even had a stuffed dog who wore scrubs, serving as my assistant; perhaps my first role model of the nurse I was to become. I became an avid follower of the Cherry Ames series, believing Cherry was the epitome of a 'nurse's nurse', in essentially every specialty I had ever heard of and more. Sadly, Barbie remained an afterthought, usually more trouble than she was worth.

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets in the future. -Graham Green

Since I'm a believer that we never totally grow up, my moment in childhood arrived over this past weekend, as I celebrated my 55th birthday. A dear friend brought a smile and peals of laughter as I opened her gift to me, mailed all the way from Texas.

Finally, I have a doll I can relate to, even love--my very own Barbie Nurse career doll. See for yourself. She is a class act from her stylish hot pink stethoscope all the way to her serviceable, cool pink crocs.

I looked up Barbie's history and learned she is two years older than me, arriving on the scene in March, 1959.

It only took a thoughtful gift and fifty years for me to appreciate a doll, especially one who has an impressive resume of over 150 careers. Cherry Ames has nothing on Barbie, when I give this matter some thought. Check out a snippet of Barbie's resume below...

Barbie Careers Doll - Nurse (Colors/Styles May Vary). Try out a variety of careers with Barbie doll because she knows you can be anything! From navigating the skies to skating on ice, from health care to pet care, from emergency response to culinary arts, Barbie doll's career aspirations know no bounds.

Future professionals can explore their own aspirations and many career possibilities with themed dolls. Each wears a professional outfit with signature style and comes with an iconic accessory to expand storytelling fun. The Barbie nurse doll brightens her patients' days in colorful scrubs with pink shoes and a pink stethoscope. Future medical professionals will love exploring the field and keeping patients healthy with Barbie doll. Play out classic scenes or imagine new possibilities because with Barbie, you can be anything!

Includes Barbie nurse doll wearing career fashion and stethoscope. Be anything with Barbie career dolls! Barbie nurse doll brightens her patients' days in colorful scrubs with pink shoes. A matching stethoscope will help save the day and ensure she keeps her patients healthy. What do you want to be when you grow up?" (Mattel Toy Company description)

From my two beautiful Black Labradors:

Andy's birthday card brought a smile with its message and music. "Looking for a fun new way to celebrate your birthday? Every BUNNY dance now!" My boy knows I love to dance with him. He's been opening this card for days now to hear this song. If you listen, I promise you'll be dancing too, even if in your work chair.

Zoey selected a card that said, "Today is all about you. Get down with your birthday self!" When opening, I'm treated to a snippet of "Shout" by The Isley Brothers. Take a listen to this tune which took me waaaay back to my grade school dance days.