The Worry Dolls is a beautiful legend from Guatemala that i first heard when my sister gifted me these dolls as i was returning home after my first visit to her home in Seattle. I have used them often and find great healing potential in this ritual.
Two years later, i decided Nia, now all of 4, was ready for her own set of Worry Dolls. Again my sister came to the rescue (sometimes i feel she is my real-life worry doll!) and sent me a set.
That night Nia was thrilled. She absolutely insisted that i too use my worry dolls that night. And both our rituals were so strinkingly different; here's a peek:
nia: what are your dolls' names mamma?
me: huh? ok here's my doll #1, #2 and #3.
nia: MAMMA! greet them nicely!
me: nice to have you here yaaaaaaawn!
nia: hi daya and baigo. daya thank you for taking care of your younger sister baigo. now both of you have to take care of me. this is my room, my pillow, my sheet. see around carefully - this will be your home now.
Then there is some whispering going on between nia and her worry dolls.
nia: ok mamma you go first
me: worry dolls please take care of my worry .....
nia: ok now my turn. Daya since you are bigger, i will give you a big worry. You make sure that i get only good dreams all through the night. And Baigo, you make sure that when i get up i remember all the good dreams.
me: ok nia time to sleep, get the dolls under your pillow.
nia: mamma one last thing - daya, baigo, if you feel thirsty in the middle of the night, let me know. I have some water with me.
lights off; blissful silence for all of 60 seconds.
nia: mamma put on the light - one last thing....whisper whisper whisper
lights off; again 60 seconds of snoozing off, when....
nia: mamma pleeeeeeeeeeeease put on the light - i promise one last thing. get me a napkin, they are cold and need a sheet
me: NIA!
nia: i said please - you cannot shout at me!
me: sigh!
Napkin on, lights off, another uneventful minute passes by...
nia: mamma i promise one really really last thing
me: one more time the lights come on, i am sending u to Guatemala!
nia: (completely ignoring my threat) Daya, Baigo, one last thing - please don't worry too much!
sigh!
my dear worry dolls, the gods in heaven, mother universe and whoever is listening - take care of this child so that she never ever loses this magical adorable spirit! And help me that i never stop to listen...
4 comments:
awesome... i wonder, how greatly u puts ur idea in to drama...
hats-off...
This is fascinating - that's the Nia and Vijji I know. And where was Ravi in all of this? Watching with a smile :)!
It just occurred to me that this is the most wonderful gift you could ever give yourself and Nia. I am thrilled visualizing you and Nia read all this 10-20 years down the line! Vow!
Very nice picture :) Loved this post.
i wonder ...quote 'if we are given kids to teach or to learn from' ???? Enjoyed reading it.
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