Friday, July 26, 2013

Gratitude Beyond Despair

This is a personal thank you to Beverly Flowers for creating a page dedicated to my blog on her Dolls From the Past website.  I have to thank her for something else as well.  For something she doesn't realize she did.

As I wrote when I shared Bev's new website in my blog post of Saturday, July 13, 2013, Bev has been a member of my WeLoveBlackDolls Yahoo group (WLBD) since December 2008.  Most of her WLBD membership had been spent "lurking" until recent months when she became more active and shared images of her beautiful antique Black-doll gems.  I was so impressed with a composition and paper mache article she shared back in January of this year, that I sent her an email request to allow me to share it with the readers of this blog. That email went unanswered.  Since I didn't receive a reply, I assumed she did not want to openly share.  

A few weeks ago Bev informed the WLBD group of her plan to create a website in preparation for the  National Antique Doll Show and beyond.  She solicited web host suggestions from group members.  I offered a few suggestions.  Obviously, a woman with a mission, within days, her website was up and running.  She contacted me personally about linking my blog to her website and I agreed.  More exposure is always good.  At the same time, I asked her if I could feature her here.  This time she heard me and granted permission. 

So we have effectively linked sites.  Her link to my blog is actually an article about it, which has been published for several days now.  It can be viewed/read here.  And to refresh your memory, my post about Bev can be viewed here


I want to openly thank Bev for her kind words within and outside the article, which helped lift the bit of despair I began experiencing the day after publishing the post about her website.  This despair resulted from events beyond my control that I almost allowed to rob me of any pleasure, and blogging about the dolls I love is one of my greatest.  One of the things Bev wrote as an extension to the article, which opened my eyes and helped lift my gloom is the following passage:



I wish you would really take in what my article says about you. Over the years you have tried to correct [disparities in Black-doll world] by fighting for the positive portrayal of Black Dolls, not the Aunt Jemima or the silly stuff.   That is the thing God gave you.  Your part. Truly, I have followed your progress over the years. I represent hundreds maybe even thousands, who have lurked your words. You have not been radical but radical does not speak to the heart.


After I dried my tears, I decided to come back.  At that time, I didn't know when I would publish my next post, but I knew I had to come back.  I cannot allow the ills of the world to steal my joy, but if I can do something to eradicate them, I will.

So here I am.  Thank you again, Bev for sending me "flowers" while I can still smell them and for helping me retrieve my blogging "mojo."

dbg

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6 comments:

  1. We are certainly glad to see you are back. I was wondering where you were. The doll world needs your insight and passion about Black dolls. In the midst of chaos, it's best to continue moving forward.

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa.

      Yes, it's best to keep moving forward even though it may be difficult to do.

      dbg

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  2. Glad you are back Debbie. I was also wondering where you were. I thought maybe you were on vacation on a lovely island. I have learned so much from you about dolls of color. Please don't ever stop sharing your wealth of knowledge with us.

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    1. Thanks, GG! No, vaca-island, just a self-imposed sabbatical.

      dbg

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  3. I too just thought you were on holiday or just super busy. Even if you need to take more time for yourself and away from your blog, please know that I will always welcome you back because your thorough and thought provoking posts have always been a treasure to me as are you.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Muff. I feel the same way about you and your posts.


      dbg

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