Barbie turned fifty!! Despite some bad press over the past several years, Barbie has maintained her charm and composure. She has serenely continued on her mission of entertaining and inspiring girls around the world.
Okay ... I have to admit that Barbie didn't entertain or inspire me a whole lot. At some point in my early childhood I received an "original" Barbie, complete with yellow ponytail, rigid legs and feet deformed from wearing spike heels. Her one "store-bought" outfit was supplemented with beautifully designed home-made dresses and a few hand knitted garments as well. I doubt if any other Barbie possessed a comparable wardrobe.
Eventually, a Barbie Dream House (complete with cardboard furniture), a Dream Mobile, and two friends, Midge and Ken, were added to my collection.
My last childhood memory of Barbie was in third grade ... I took Barbie & Co., along with the wardrobe trunk to school. As the girls oohed and aahed over my collection, I enjoyed building skyscrapers and highways with the boys. Shortly after that, Barbie and Friends were stashed away in the back of my closet as I moved on to more important business.
Years later, I dragged out my collection for the entertainment of my daughters. Somehow, Barbie didn't quite grab their attention as they preferred the baby dolls whose eyes opened and closed as they cried "ma-ma." Barbie's reign as "doll queen" didn't last long.
Eventually, my worn out Barbie collection and home-made clothes were given to my pastor's daughter. Here Barbie found a true admirer. Rachel played for hours, dressing and styling and accessorizing. Maybe Barbie did influence Rachel, as today at 22 she still loves to dress up, primp and accessorize.
My only regret is that my original Barbie with the year 1959 imprinted on her bottom turned out to be a collector's item ... but by the time I knew this, Barbie was tired, worn, scarred, and showing her age ... sort of like real women!
Happy Birthday, Barbie ... where ever you might be! You and I both have stood the test of time ... we are real classics!
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