The Child in Me!

I have a little girl inside me...As I grew older she did not manifest herself very often. But I still try to keep the spirit alive by collecting stuffed toys, dolls, ect. Growing up I had a great collection of "Choppu Saman" or Indian house-house game set with small kitchen set (very Indian), living room set, toys etc. I used to play house-house very seriously with my friends during summer vacation. Mom also bought me "Marapachi bommais," dolls made out of wood, very native to T.Nadu I think. And I used to play with them too...Dad also got me a lot of foreign dolls when he toured and some race cars and aeroplanes...

But when I was in fourth or fifth standard Barbies were introduced to the world of childhood dreams and entertainment and I wanted them. Mom and Dad could not understand why I would want to play with Barbie...It looked like one of the other dolls I had and nothing really special. But I was adamant and threw tantrums. As a disciplining measure I was never given a Barbie till I was twenty-six. Yes Sir! Twenty-Six.

My sister-in-law having known my love for Barbies got me the first one after I landed a job. A very beautiful English Queen she was...And later for my birthdays she got me more of them. Knowing my love for them my friends Rajeev and Vardhini also got me two of the most beautiful Indian Barbies ever! Now I have a small collection of Barbie Collectibles...And everytime I see them I remember my childhood.

My dad did not remember any of this but he told me that I can buy as many Barbies as I want and he will pay for them...And he said it when I was twenty-five...I love him for that...Looking back, I do not regret not growing up with them...And I am glad I got them at an age where I can appreciate them more and value them for their worth! I also still cherish those wonderful summers, sitting under the shade of a badam tree and playing house-house which I would have missed had I had those snobbish Barbies!

The child in me still enjoys the company of her stuffed toys and Barbies and I hope that she never gives up and fade away...Because without her I would think that I am half-dead!

PS: I do not know where any of my marapachi bommais or choppu saman are...But the time I spent with them are etched in my mind forever!