When I heard the rumble of the Dodge Ram truck in the garage I felt a tingle inside, the same joy I had known for more than thirty years.

My husband stood in the kitchen doorway beaming, “I’m having a doll made for Brittany,” he blurted. “One of my customers makes Raggedy Ann dolls and she’s going to start on it next week.” http://www.raggedy-ann.com/patty.html

“She’s not even here yet,” I smiled.

“That’s okay,” he came back, “it takes a long time to make one of these dolls. They aren’t like the ones in the store; these are better made … have quality.”

I ran my hand across his back, “Besides, it will be a special gift from her grandpa.”

David poured a glass of iced tea and went to settle in his recliner.  He was really pumped about this, which surprised me. My husband wasn’t like that, didn’t get excited.

Weeks later he came home with a big box. I had forgotten about Raggedy Ann until David held her up for me to see. He babbled on about how great she looked, how well-made she was, how much his granddaughter would like her.

“Look at this,” he turned the doll over and placed her back in the box, then ever so gently raised her little dress.

“What the … oh honey, that is priceless,” I whispered. On the doll’s lower back, just above her ruffled panties was Brittany’s name.

My eyes filled, “She will always know how much you love her.”

“Yeah,” he smirked.

May Your Glass Always Be Half Full

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David was a mailman for 37 years; his customers were friends, like the doll maker.

David passed away from lung cancer on Aug. 20, 2011.

Granddaughter Brittany turned seven on Dec. 18, 2011. She still has Raggedy Ann.