BFF

Me and Charmain are Best Friends Forever. We got to visit the other day. First we drew and colored and painted. Charmain has a cute rabbit and a really KEWL Steiff bear.

Then Charmain said,"Here are some vintage skates for you. I have some too but they are a bit different than these."

I put my skates on over my sneakers and we practiced skating.

We are really and truly Best Friends Forever.

Two Fun Adventures

Adventure Number One:

My Daddy and I watched the Superbowl together Sunday. We ate potato chips and drank iced tea. My Daddy let me work the remote. Mama says that getting control of the remote is a big deal at our house. My Daddy put the remote in my hand all by himself.

Mama said it didn't even take a "Bribe" this time, whatever that means. I have on jeans just like my Daddy's and I am beginning to love potato chips!!!

Adventure Two:

Mama's friend, who sells dolls online, asked her and me out to lunch. She brought Tammy, who is a very pretty doll from the 1960's. Tammy and I met while Mama and Ms. H. ordered lunch.

They got Sushi, which is rice and raw fish and pickled ginger and wasabi.

I learned how to use chopsticks today. Tammy and I had fun while Mama and Ms. H. talked. Ms. H is considering selling BJDs on her online store. She wanted to meet me to help her decide.

The waitress came to the table and I met her. She took me around to all the employees and introduced me. Here is the nice waitress. She has a very peaceful face.

Then I was introduced to the Sushi Chef. He is from Taiwan and didn't speak much English yet. He liked me. The Hostess and the Waitress teased him and said,"Kiss her," in Tiawanese. Mom took a picture. The Hostess teased the Chef and said, "Oh, now you will marry her!". Mama said, "Oh, No, she's only 10 years old." Everybody laughed.

Ms. H. was surprised at the people's reactions to me. Mama and I weren't suprised. Now I think Ms. H. understands about doll-children like me. We love to meet people and it seems that lots of people like to meet us, too.

What a fun lunch visit !!!

Where is the Angel?

My purpose in writing this entry is threefold. First, I wanted to commemorate my Mother-In-Law through storytelling. As Walter Wangerin says, "Tell stories. It is the fullness of witness."Secondly, I wanted to express my own grief through a story told from a 10-year-old doll-child's innocent perspective. Last, I wanted to share elements of the protocols of a Southern United States funeral. I hope you enjoy my story.

Where is the Angel?

by Julia Chitori

Me and Mama and Daddy and the Boiz all went to Granny's house again. I wanted to see her and I wanted to see my special Angel from Christmas. Remember, I told the Angel to watch over Granny while I was away. I couldn't believe it. The Angel was gone.

Where is the Angel?

I looked under the bed. Not there. Not in the dryer. No Angel. It wasn't in the tub either.

Time for bed and I didn't sleep very well. I was worried. Granny had gone missing too.

The next day we went to a big beautiful house. I sat in the parlor and felt very, very alone.

After a little while, we went into a nice room with flowers and pews and the preacher was there. I didn't understand everything he said, only some of it. About Jesus and Heaven and Granny. I snuggled next to my Aunt Jo and she had kleenex in her hand. But she smiled at me a little. I was too short to see into the pretty wooden box.

When the preacher finished, we all drove to a nice garden with lots of flowers. Daddy, the Boiz and Second Cousin Delmon carried the big box to the tent.

The box was beautiful with a blanket of red roses and white lilies on top. The preacher said a few more words and then we left to go eat at the First Baptist Church.

After dinner, we all went back to Granny's house. I went outside and sat beside my favorite tree. I was so sad. Not only was the Angel missing, but Granny as well. Where was she?

Where was my Angel?

Mama came outside to find me and saw me crying. She held me and told me this." My darling doll child, Granny is gone. Her stringing broke and no one on earth could fix her. Only God could make her well. The Angel took her hand when it was time to leave this earth, and led her to God's house. Jesus is there and He has already fixed her. She doesn't hurt anymore, she is restrung and all her stuffing is fresh, clean and new. And ...now she can dance! In fact, I think she is singing and dancing already."

"Oh, Mama, is it true? Oh, oh, oh. I finally understand," I said. I hugged Mama and then I looked up, because, you know, Heaven must be beyond the sky and stars.

It might have been a cloud and some sunshine, but I think maybe I saw my Angel wink at me.

Goodbye Angel. Take good care of Granny while I'm not there.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for Granny and Angels.

Julia Makes a New Friend

Yesterday a package arrived at my house. Mama and I had to wait until our friend arrived to open it. I helped.

Inside the brown box was a silver box. Inside the silver box were lots of pieces that looked sortof familiar.

Mama and her friend, Mr. Rick, cut string and fastened S-hooks and did all sorts of doll surgery. Daddy helped some, too. But mostly Daddy shook his head and laughed.

.

Mr. Rick checked the new doll's stringing to make sure it was nice and tight.Then he painted her face. I gave her some of my clothes to wear because she was cold. Then, she traded the eyes that came in her box with my old ones.

Usually when people say they make a new friend, it means that they met someone new. Well, I actually got to MAKE my new friend. Ha.

Her name is Sharmain O'Manyon. Here is a picture of us together. We are Best Friends Forever and besides that, now I have my own baby blue eyes!! Sharmain went home with her Dad to live but I will see her a lot because her Dad is friends with my Mama and Daddy.

Sharmain is a MSD Mika with my old cobalt blue eyes and a new camel one-braid wig. She has freckles, too. Her Daddy is going to buy her some green eyes and then she will be happier.

Julia's Christmas 2006

Christmas Eve.

I was going to meet Granny. Daddy rented a pretty, silver minivan for our trip. Three of the Boiz had to work until 8 PM, so while we were waiting for them to get home, Mama packed my suitcase and some food and presents.

All 7 of us "Locked and Loaded" into the van and headed for LA, which is Lower Alabama in our family's joke. Daddy drove lots of hours in a big, bad rain storm. Mama held me the whole time. It was scary some of the time because the rain was coming down hard.

We arrived past midnight. I went in with the Boiz to meet Granny. Granny is 93 years old and her stringing is loose. She has lost some stuffing in her head, too. She doesn't feel good most of the time and stays in her bed a lot. It was a suprise that we were coming to visit.

When it was my turn to say hello, I didn't know if she'd like me or not. But she did. She held me tight and even covered me with the sheet.

Mama and Daddy and I went to bed in the guest bedroom. It was hard to sleep because I knew Christmas Day would soon be here.

The next morning, I got up and dressed in my special Christmas outfit. On the table was a tree just my size. I had a Christmas stocking with candy in it, just like the Boiz. You can see it in my left hand.

Then we opened presents. I got a book, an art set, and an artists' tote bag filled with paper and pencils. Kewl.

Granny held me while she was sitting in her wheelchair. She smiled every time she saw me and she didn't mind posing for this picture.

I took a nap while Mama and Aunt Jo (who is Daddy's sister and the Boiz' aunt) cooked dinner. The Boiz played video games (of course) and Daddy visited with the other relatives. Granny said she wanted a doll. She wants a boy doll to cuddle. Mama and I will send her one soon.

After dinner we had to leave so the Boiz could get back for work the next day. I had a nice time and especially enjoyed meeting Daddy's Mom, Granny. I was very glad to bring smiles to her face. And see the angel on the Christmas tree? I think THAT is the angel who watches over Granny when I'm not there.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Hugs, Julia*

Acceptance

Eldest Brother: (to Mama) "What do you want for Christmas?."

Mama: "Nothing in particular, but I think Julia would like a gift."

Eldest Brother: "Of course, Mom. She's part of the family."

I overheard that conversation yesterday. I feel like Eldest Brother is beginning to consider me as the First Sister, the Little Sister they never had. Could it be true? Could he be thinking I'm Real?



Then Dax, the cat, came and sat with me..well actually ON me. If The Cat of the house accepts me, maybe the other Boiz will. They are wonderful Elder Brothers and I adore each of them 10 stars.




Oh Dax, your fur is so soft. Even if you are a bit heavy! Love, Julia

Daddy's Girl

Today Mama and Daddy took me outside to watch the International Space Station travel overhead. It was bright, like a really big star and twinkled. It wasn't round, but had uneven edges. If Mama and Daddy had a telescope, we could have seen the Space Shuttle Discovery attached to the side of the Space Station.

The best part is that Daddy wrapped me in the front of his coat while we watched it pass overhead. My head was sticking out just under his chin. I was warm and toasty because Daddy kept me safe. Mama held my hand and all three of us saw the vehicle that the Astronauts are living in.

In the picture I am holding an official NASA ISS patch Daddy got at the Huntsville Space Center Museum. I am wearing my sweatsuit that Mama made just for me.

You can enter your own location at nasa.gov and see when the ISS will come over your house. Or you can google search "International Space Station Flight Path" and find out.

It was KEWL!! Love, Julia*