A Little Goes a Long Way

About two by three inches, she stands in pristine beauty, gazing at the world. Eyes of ocean blue, skin as pale as milk, and cheeks as pink as bubblegum; her beauty is unmatchable. She reveals a humbling smile and possesses a sense of warmth about her that comforts me whenever needed. Her fuchsia gown glows elegantly in the light that encompasses her and bears no marks of the years in which she has endured. Golden-brown locks of curly, full hair fall down from the uppermost part of her head and onto her delicate shoulders. Arms wide open and half bent, she embraces those who cradle her. Although hallow inside, she is filled with fascinating stories and endless memories.

She does not possess the gift of language, nor can she hear, but that doesn’t keep me from talking to her and reminiscing about all the times we’ve shared together and all she means to me.

Her name is Ellie and she used to live on a shelf in my room. She was a doll given to me by my Aunt as a memento to remember my late Grandmother, Eleanor. But Ellie is so much more than a perfectly crafted piece of porcelain; she is all I have left of a woman who meant the world to me.

I was just 14 when my Grandmother passed away. As it was only 5 years ago, I can remember being overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. I was sad that she would no longer come around on the weekends to talk about the family and her weekends at the strip-mall and casino. I was angry that she was torn right out of my life, giving me no chance to say good-bye. Most of all, however, I was confused as to why it happened and why I had no closure. The only thing that I was certain about was the fact that I no longer had a grandmother and obtained nothing in which I could remember her by.

And then along came Ellie…

It was about a month or so after the death of my Grandma when, on a warm day in late February, the doorbell rang. It was my Aunt Roxanne and she was holding a cardboard box filled with little trinkets and bundles of papers, among other objects. When she placed the box down onto the kitchen table, she pulled out the smallest, most gorgeous doll I had ever laid eyes upon. Fixing her dress and hair, my Aunt turned toward me and placed the priceless beauty in my cupped hands. Upon telling me that she belonged to my Grandma, I almost broke down with emotion. Holding myself together, I hugged my Aunt and managed to mutter out the words, “Thank you.” She then asked me what I was going to call her – I knew the perfect name; “Ellie,” I said, and rushed to my room to place her high upon my shelf so she could watch over me.