Patsy Joan's history - in her own words

December 1946

The first time I opened my eyes I was in a wondrous place surrounded
by toys of every kind.

I was surrounded by lots of other dolls and toys, 

but they all disappeared from the window, one by one.

I was dressed in a beautiful outfit and waiting for someone to choose me.
I waited and waited until Christmas Eve.

Then, after it seemed I had been standing in that
window for a lifetime, a very nice man stopped and
looked RIGHT AT ME!
He smiled at me and said I was perfect!
He came inside and took me away with him.

The nice man said we had to hurry or we'd miss the train home.

I was going to have a home!

The man also had a small trunk that he carried the whole way.

It was early morning when we finally got off the train 

and took a cab to the prettiest house on the  prettiest street.

And when we walked inside...

IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING!

The man, who was named Kent Freeman, had just come home from the war.

He was a fighter pilot and a hero - especially to his little girl, Shawna!

I was a Christmas gift for her.

Here I am on Christmas morning under the tree!

And the little trunk Mr. Freeman carried all that way?

It was a trunk of beautiful dresses for me!

Well, Shawna and I were very happy for many years.

But, all little girls grow up, and Shawna wanted to

go to college and be a Doctor.

Shawna went away to college and I didn't see her for

years and years.

Eventually Mrs. Freeman, Shawna's mamma, put me in my trunk

and carried me up to the attic.

I must have slept for a very long time;

for when I awoke again...

 I was here!

 But, I didn't feel well.  Something was wrong.

When I came out of my trunk I was broken!

But this nice lady fixed my arm and gave me some new paint and a new dress!

She spoke to me about how I would soon be adopted by a new girl.

I stood in the shop for a long time, but then someone came.

She was not a little girl at all.

She was quite grown.  Maybe she wanted me for her little girl?

She didn't look like Shawna, but she had a kind face.

She held me very carefully and looked in my eyes.

She said I was beautiful!

It was a long drive home, but eventually we arrived.

And here I am with all my sisters and all our toys.

This is a happy place and I love it here.

My new forever home!