The Symbols Of My Great Grandmother

Since I was 7 years old, I have had this doll that had previously belonged to my great-grandmother. For me to have this 8-inch-tall doll meant that in a way that a slight part of her was still with me. This doll has become a symbol of how much I cherish family and those few close friends that I have, along with how I take pleasure in the little things and that I’m happier with things that have meaning than the most perfect gift someone could buy. It also has become a source of comfort for me through tough times.
When I was 7 years old, I was cleaning out my grandmother’s basement with my mother and grandmother, and we found boxes of belongings from my great-grandparent’s house. Among an assortment trinkets and sets of clothes, we had found

For me, it was more of the thought that my great-grandmother would be with me through college and would be helping me in my most stressful times. In 1928, my great-grandmother had saved up enough money to send herself to nursing school, like the strong independent woman she was. However, when the stock market crashed, she lost all of her savings and was no longer able to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. When I told my family that I wanted to be a nurse and work in Pediatric Oncology, my grandmother broke down in tears. This woman has only cried a handful of times, so I was obviously concerned when she did. I had not previously known that my great-grandmother had planned on being a nurse, and looking back, I feel like there have always been people and experiences in my life pushing me to become a nurse and to help others. Now for me, it is though I will fulfill that dream for my great-grandmother that she was never able to accomplish, and having her little doll gives me hope that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
For me, ever since I was 7, this doll meant that in a way that a slight part of my great-grandmother is with me, even though I was never able to meet her. This doll has become a symbol of how much I cherish family and those few close friends that I have, along with how I take pleasure in the little things and that I’m happier with things that have meaning than the most perfect gift someone could give