When my first two children were small I made dolls to look like them. I went so far as to knit the colorful sweater for my daughter's, and matched her brown hair. Lukas's was wearing shorts since that was his go to outfit all year. How is it that four year old boys stay warm,
anyway?
The idea is not new. Girls can purchase dolls, or rather their doting mothers can, that mirror their features. Perhaps there is a psychological benefit to seeing a miniature version of yourself. I know that on the instances when I looked at my children and they resembled me at their age it was both startling and sweet.
In sewing class recently two
girls decided to make fairy sized versions of each other. It was delightful, to pull out embroidery thread, and pipe cleaners, silk flowers and a glue gun. We all laughed as such simple materials sprung to life. When it came time to go home, they were ambivalent. Part of them wanted the doll that looked like them, while another part preferred the one they had themselves created.
I am not entirely sure how it ended up, and in
truth they may go back and forth as often as playdates happen.
Many of us have imperfect vision when it comes to seeing ourselves clearly. We may tend toward harshness, judging ourselves unfairly. At other times we may amplify our self image, embellishing it with qualities we imagine ourselves to possess.
Regardless of accuracy, it was my delight to see the
girls fully immersed in capturing their best friend in a toy the size of their hand. It feels like the essence of a true friendship, to say "I see you."
