Children have always found something to play with

Dorothy was the first baby doll I remember. She was waiting for me in the rocking chair where I soon put her to use. Of course, there were lots of other presents for other family members but this is the one that was just for me and I was proud of her. As the years went on my dolls became fancier and with hair on their heads. But no other doll meant the same to me as my Dorothy.

When my older siblings told about their gifts, they did not have the type of formed hair that my curly headed Dorothy had. We still have a few of the old type wooden dolls which my sisters did not care for. Instead of playing with dolls they played house with whatever kittens or puppies that were available.

Ellen and I played with any dolls we had and made up stories about them. Dorothy became the boss of all the other dolls, teddy bears and even paper dolls. We made our story rather serious with very little loving characters.

Years earlier the little girls played with corn stalk dolls that their mother made for them. They had fun with whatever they found. The boys made cars out of rocks.

Today’s children have many different types of toys and dolls. The dolls can stand, talk and even wet their pants. The boys’ cars either wind-up or are electric or they play with more advanced vehicles than just a car — transformers or space figures.

We look back at the corn cob dolls and wonder if the children had as much fun with the present day toys as they did with the toys created and imaginary toys.

Parents of today spend hours and dollars finding the popular toy. We wonder if the parents of the past spent as much time and effort for their children’s toys.

The exchange of gifts in the past in a country school or church were exciting as the child waited for his or her name to be called. Today’s gift exchanges are usually family groups, school classrooms or by mail.

We can’t help wondering if the toys are as exciting as the older things that parents created, but the present day child feels it is necessary to have playthings which are the equal of their friends’.

We don’t know the answers to the questions but we can be pretty sure that not many parents dare to give their children stone cars or corn stalk dolls.