Kari, almost five, and Lori, almost three, were excited about Christmas.
Paul and I had planned to purchase each of them a nice doll, and the C & P Hardware store had a lovely display from which certainly anyone might select their favorite.
Kari knew exactly what she wanted…a “Toodles” baby doll. Because of a friend having one, a television ad on Saturday morning cartoons, or just plain good advertising – I’m not sure. I think Mattel produced the large, 24” doll that closely resembled a six to eight-month baby.
Enter a new cousin in their life – Paul Douglas, Miriam’s baby, was absolutely adorable. He was chubby and had dark curls. Lori was fascinated with a cousin only a few months younger than herself.
And she spied a doll at the C & P. ‘Twas a large baby doll with a soft body. She loved it and named it “Paul Douglas.”
I dragged Paul to the store to show him the choices the girls had made. He approved Kari’s choice, but nixed Lori’s because “the doll is almost as big as her, don’t be silly.”
What a dilemma. I hadn’t often gone against my husband’s will, but on the other hand, he hadn’t done the homework I’d done with the girls.
I worked up my courage. I bought the dolls they’d selected.
They loved them and played with them for years. Paul Douglas turned out to be a “special needs” doll – he has two left legs! Now in her fifties, Lori still has him. He’s played Baby Jesus several times in nativity scenes and once she thought someone had stolen him from the manger, but it wasn’t true.
A couple of years ago she called from LaCrosse…” you won’t believe what I found.” I knew. “Paul Douglas?” I asked. “Yes… he was in one of the Christmas tote boxes.”
My nephew Paul Douglas should be honored to have a namesake such as Lori’s beloved doll.
