A Thank You To My Dolls
- Admin
- Jun 12, 2022
- 2 min read
To My Dolls,
If it wasn't for you guys, my life would have been totally different. I wouldn't have discovered any of my other passions, felt happy in the dark times I've had, or even did any of the things I've ever wanted to do.
When I was getting bullied when I was 10 years old for liking you guys, I still held true in my love for you. I immersed myself in your worlds even more, and the historical books my school library had kept me sane during a treacherous school year. Even when the only friend I had left, well, left me, I knew it wouldn't feel right to just stop because someone else did.
When I was 12, I had to leave the house I lived in for the majority of my life at that point because my parents got divorced. It was tough, but blogging about you, hanging out with you, making films starring you guys... you guys got me through it.
When I was 14, I wanted to branch out in my film career. A TV series I wrote got rejected from major networks, and I wasn't sure what to do. But I turned to you guys once again to help test the waters for my biggest project of all time, one that I really loved but wasn't that confident in at the time. And it came out amazingly, strengthened the bond that we have, and because of it, the last four months have been a rollercoaster.
One million is a big number, yet the hashtag to make Rebelle a reality has that and more on TikTok. And as I look forward to hopefully making my dream a reality with that momentum behind me and becoming the successful filmmaker of my dreams, I can't help but think about how proud I am of how far I've come and how proud I am to be an American Girl fan.
You guys have touched me and shaped my life, whether it's Kaya's adventures in 1764, Corinne's journey in 2022, Nanea's life in World War II Hawaii or beyond. Even though I'm older now, I still love you and hold true the lessons you taught and continue to teach me.
Thank you, dolls!
Sydney
P.S: This is in no way, shape, or form a farewell post. Today is the second anniversary of the Rebelle stopmotion's release, so I started reflecting on how my dolls have helped my filmmaking, and then it jumped from that to how they've helped me overall.
I'm 42 and still love all of my dolls. The historical dolls were my first independent foray into historical fiction and my ultimate love for history (I watched reruns of Little House when I was super young, but that was family time :) That love of history and historical interpretations ala Colonial Williamsburg and Old Sturbridge Village heavily influenced my hobbies and career paths. When I was 8 I regularly dressed in 1850's to 1940's styles. My mom who was a fabulous seamstress made most of my clothes (at my direction - you would not catch me dead in a pair of jeans or stretch pants) She taught me how to sew, and we spent many years in business together…
Your so nice! Thank you so much! And thank you for creating American Girl Doll News! What would I do without it!? We should all be thanking you! ❤️
I keep forgetting to say this here. The second Saturday of June is World Doll Day. As part of that celebration, I create a display for my local library using American Girl Dolls. Dolls were probably the first human toys collected by men and women.
This years display was to thank Postal Workers. I had an AG doll dressed in a Postal uniform and then dolls in outfits from all over the world to show how the Post Office sends and delivers mail from around the world.
I love Bryant and his dragon so much I added a note in a corner, "Even delivering to where dragons live?"
The kids reading program had dragons for a theme.
Celebrate dolls. The…
And thank you Sydney for all you do! You are amazing. Dolls really hold a special place in the world.
I am 67 and have been collecting American Girl since almost their beginning. [For some reason, I missed the first year.] I have a Ph.D. in Speech Communication with a focus on rhetoric. I have worked to understand how children's books, including AG books, persuade readers to see the world.
I have loved dolls all of my life. They are my fast friends.
I am sitting at my computer wishing that the mail would get here sooner today because there is a doll coming.
I worried when I retired that I didn't have any hobbies. Turns out I do: collecting and loving dolls.
Thanks Sydney for all you do to help keep my passion alive and keep me connected with…