Yay! the original owner of the dirty, old stuffed animals I restored said she has been missing them, and since I suggested it, she will change her mind and take one of them back.
She denigrated the grief she felt at their loss – – "I am just anthropomorphizing fabric".
That is not how I see it at all.
Our things may carry some of our heart and our history, and they are worthy of being honored, as are our tender feelings for them.
Which one will go back? (Their owner lives in another state.)
I sent this photo: "Choose one, two, three, or all four!"
Our materialistic culture can confuse us...
We're enticed to spend a lot of money on things and yet are supposed to consider them entirely disposable. Feelings for them may be denied or mocked.
This isn't good for us--or for the things--especially if they are intimate possessions, like toys often are.
(I wonder how hoarding ties in with our disordered relationship to things...)
Respecting things doesn't mean we have to keep everything.
Of course not!
In Japan, for instance, temples hold an annual Doll Burial ceremony-- ningyo kuyo. The spirit of the doll is thanked and released so that the physical object can be let go. Traditionally, the temples burn them.
We could adopt such an attitude to the things we care for.
Those "dirty old stuffed animals" look fresh off the factory!
ReplyDeleteThings definitely hold sentimental value. Looking at your furry makeovers brings up sweet memories of childhood. I should've had a ceremony.
Yes, she must’ve been very gentle with her toys – – so the sleeping dog is rather worn, the others are in great shape, once the dirt was removed.
DeleteAw, a ceremony—that would be nice
So cute. The elephant is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a cutie!
DeleteBURN THEM???? BIG eff for that activity!!1 oh hell no!! What sort of dolly deserves that? The restored, loved animals are so dear! I love them all and would never turn one away especially because I am a grown up now...( that is questionable). Or if I had to make space for something grown up ...An appliance? An occasional table? Nonsense! I am with Flora on this preference of worlds- "let's go where the toys are". You have done such a goodness there with the little creatures. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeletebig eye little eye bear is utterly charming
DeleteBurning sounds harsh, but Penny Cooper says,
Delete“the dolls love it – – they get to become 🔥 FIRE!”
Two-size-eyes Bear , Honey Mustard, is my favorite and I secretly hope she doesn’t choose that one as to go back home, though I wouldn’t deeply mind.
Home is good.!
the burning of the dolls is part of Japanese culture and has been for some time. here is an article about it: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2021/11/5/japanese-temples-are-holding-funerals-for-unwanted-dolls . this is a very serious ceremony as they formally say goodbye to the dolls. is it any worse than parents throwing their children's toys in the trash where you aren't able to say goodbye. I have taken doll-making classes from someone who studied in Japan since the 70's and their doll culture is quite interesting. they see a doll can be made from almost anything.
ReplyDeletek
People tell terrible stories of having their childhood toys disappear and finding out they were put in the trash!
DeleteSuch thoughtless cruelty.
The doll ceremony hopefully is optional, not forced.