Girl with a black eye

Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible. - Paul Klee 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940

When I was a little girl, I had a fabric puppet with a blue dress and eeeeeeeeeeeeendless legs with red and white striped stockings, brown hair and freckles. I didn't really like this puppet, so long and skinny and far not as lovely as the perfect blonde sweet baby girl doll with the blue eyes which opened and closed and her sweet rose lips, but my dad loved that "Pippi Långstrump" doll. He compared me to her all the time, because I was skinny, tall and had freckles too. I know now that already at that extremely young age I wanted to be another girl...

I didn't realize who or what Pippi was. Only much later did I understand that she was an independent, intelligent, nice, problem solving, always singing, and funny girl, to whom nothing seemed impossible (too strong to be true - but that was a wonderful way to make believe that nothing is impossible). She was a little bit stubborn and sensitive too. My dad certainly put all the chances on my side to become like her. Strangely, without knowing it, and certainly because my dad loved her, I kept this doll in my heart for the rest of my life. I discovered that only recently, when I saw Dee 'Torcherer' Elgie's awesome three-part doll bead..

I had to have her. It felt like me. Like the true me. Fallen apart and put together again, still standing strong, despite the black eye. This black eye is representative of everything one cannot see - Fibro, allergy to light and PTSD. But... that black eye doesn't take away my worth. Standing strong, proud and honest, helping others when I can.

I love myself now. 

It feels good. 

Thank you Dad.

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Now I have to find a way to do justice to this little piece of Art.