Where’s Doll Doll?
We had a bit of a harrowing experience today with the beloved Green Dolly. For those who don’t know Green Dolly or Doll Doll as Aria calls her is Aria’s constant companion and has been for the best part of 4 years. The things that Green Dolly has been through would blow your mind. She has pretty much had every test, procedure or treatment that Aria has, only often these things have been performed by Aria, not always the gentlest or most proficient of hands to find yourself in. Aria loves Doll Doll like she’s real, and is her best friend and confidante, she feels like part of our family.
Well today Aria, Asher and I went into hospital to pick up some refills on a couple of Aria’s medications. Anita stayed at home because she is feeling a little under the weather at the moment (prayers for that please). We got there and for a change Aria went in the back seat of our double stroller with Doll Doll while Asher went up front. We dropped our prescriptions off at the pharmacy and then we headed to the cafe to get something to drink. The prescriptions were ready when we arrived back and Aria was super-excited to hold onto her medicines, especially her itchy medicine. We then left and headed to our next stop, Toys-R-Us.
Toys-R-Us was really fun, the kids had a good look around, testing out the various toys they found. Thankfully our kids aren’t normally kids that get the ‘I Wants’ and they moved happily enough from toy to toy. The highlight of our trip were a Thomas set that was set up to be played with instore. Aria stood up next to it and played for a while having the occasional break on my knee to recover. It is a good sign that she is willing to push herself and do things on her own.
After leaving Toys-R-Us we were heading homewards when Aria asked for Doll Doll. That is when I had a sudden realisation I had not seen Doll Doll for a bit and wasn’t sure where she was. I pulled into a store nearby and searched the car for Green Doll… nowhere to be seen. So I ask Aria, “where’s Doll Doll?” Aria tells me that she didn’t have her at the toystore and that the last time she remembers having her is at the hospital….. “Oh 
” So I ring Anita, let her know we won’t be back anytime soon as we are heading back to hospital to try and find a missing Doll.
On the way home I talked to Aria about where she might think that Doll Doll is and that we will try and find her but Doll Doll might be gone. Aria was very stoic about it all, not seeming nearly upset and as worried as I was. She calmly told me “Blue Doll” would be the replacement if Green was not to be found. We decided to talk to God about Doll Doll, that she would be found safe and sound somewhere in the hospital.
When we got there I retraced my steps around the hospital with a growing sense of dread that Doll Doll would be gone forever. I prepared Aria saying that we might not find her, she told me “Mummy find her” to which I replied, “Even Mummy might not be able to find her”. The search continued….
The last place that we checked was in the Cafe…. nowhere to be seen. As we left the cafe I noticed a cleaner nearby, I was going to ask him where a lost doll would be handed in but he was wearing headphones so I didn’t. Instead I asked another cleaner a little further down the hall. He told me that he didn’t know and that I would have to check with security. As I was about to try and find a security guard the cleaner asked me to wait for a minute and that he would check with the first cleaner I saw. Moments later, the first cleaner pops away to a nearby ATM and pulls out GREEN DOLLY!!! You would not believe how relieved and grateful at that moment. Aria got Doll Doll back and as we walked away she started to cry big old tears of joy and saying “Doll Doll Back!”. She had been putting on a brave face, she is a stoic one sometimes our Aria.
Anywho, what could of been a terrible situation turned out alright and proved to be a great ‘teachable moment’ for Aria and Asher. The new plan is for Green Dolly to be an ‘at home’ dolly only, we just can’t bear to lose someone so precious to someone who is so precious to us.
P.S sorry for the long post 
39 Responses to “Where’s Doll Doll?”
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# 5 Sep at 2:34 pm
Any parent who has had a child with a ’special’ soft toy friend will understand your feelings of panic and worry- it isn’t till we lose one that we realise how important they are- well done Hamish for your determination- so pleased you found her
# 5 Sep at 2:37 pm
I hear ya! So wonderful you found Green Dolly – she has been in so many posts and pics over the years…. long may this continue!!
# 5 Sep at 2:48 pm
Our son too has a ‘doll doll’ except it is a red dog called ‘Patrick’. It too has been through every proceedure he has. Thankfully we had 2 – a clean one and a dirty one. Patrick is now 10 years old adn is some what retired but still very precious. Even now, I would hate to lose him. So glad you found Green Dolly! Blessings to you all.
# 5 Sep at 3:19 pm
Phew! Thank goodness for that, even I would have been upset if Green Doll had not been found. She has been through so much with Aria, that wonderful Doll Doll. That wee girl is wise so far beyond her years isn’t she, what an amazing child she is.
# 5 Sep at 3:35 pm
I’m glad you found her Green Dolly! I know Aria is too! She is such a brave girl! I know when I was little I lost a few toys that were dear to me, & cried when they weren’t found. So, I’m very happy for Aria! God Bless!
# 5 Sep at 3:40 pm
My son is 14 now and he has a dog called dogee (named after one of his doctors). He has had dogee since he was a very little boy and dogee has been through everything with Dylan. Even now at the age of 14 dogee still goes to hospital when Dylan is in. So yes we get it too how important our “soft toy” friends are to our kids (and us parents). I’m very glad that you got Green Dolly back! xxx
# 5 Sep at 4:23 pm
Thank You, Lord, for finding Green Dolly!!!
# 5 Sep at 4:25 pm
So glad you were able to find Doll Doll, thanks for the post and the picture, so great to see Aria looking well and happy
# 5 Sep at 4:33 pm
Oooh yes – have certainly been there and done that before!! Well done on finding Green Dolly. I have never met you and probably never will, but love reading your posts however short or long they are after watching your story on Attitude. You are an amazing family. Cant wait to hear the news one day when you are on your way back to NZ. Take care of yourselves – and Green dolly
# 5 Sep at 4:33 pm
That is sooo lovely. Aria is a stoic little princess.
# 5 Sep at 4:51 pm
So glad you found her. I have to say though, this bit of your post had me laughing out loud:
“The things that Green Dolly has been through would blow your mind. She has pretty much had every test, procedure or treatment that Aria has, only often these things have been performed by Aria, not always the gentlest or most proficient of hands to find yourself in.”
# 5 Sep at 5:24 pm
well that story sure brought tears to my eyes too! Isn’t God so good to his children-He allowed Dolly to be ‘lost’ for just enough time for you to teach Aria that little lesson! Sometimes we think of God as God of BIG miracles but He is performing little ones for us all the time too. I love how children can just ask God for simple things and expect an answer without all the doubt etc-Keep on keeping on you guys – God bless you always – love, Jeannie
# 5 Sep at 7:33 pm
God cares even about Doll Doll, and I am so glad He answered your prayers to find her! So many times we only go to God with the ‘big things’ when He is always there for us, caring about even the little things…. not to say that Doll Doll is a little thing. She has been a huge part of Aria’s life, and yours. God Bless!
# 5 Sep at 7:42 pm
Oh how precious! Aria IS such a big brave girl! I hope her mummy is improving and not feeling too poorly!
# 5 Sep at 8:31 pm
I can imagine your feelings during the search! Great to hear Green Doll was found safe and sound. Also wanted to say that Aria is looking fantastic. Thinking of Anita.
# 5 Sep at 8:56 pm
so glad to read dolldoll was found, safe & unharmed. i have had the priveledge, over the last few months of praying for 2 precious aria’s. one whom i will never meet, but has touched my heart, the other, a sweetheart in my congregation.
earlier this year, my church went on camp to waharoa. (if anyone is looking for a nice camp, this is over beyond miranda) the children drew self portraits on squares of cloth, which was sewn into a banner.
the adults were asked to be “prayer warriors” & pray for one of the children this year. well i had no idea of whom to choose, from our lovely children, so i prayed about it. aria was the child i was guided to. soon we will be having a lunch together, followed by games, where it will be revealed to the cherubs (under 5s) and lightforce (primary age) who their prayer angel is. i can’t wait!!
# 5 Sep at 9:58 pm
Nothing is too big or too small for God!
What a beautiful reminder that the God who made the Universe cares about a little girl and a lost doll.
Thank you Hamish for sharing this.
Thank you God for giving Aria such a caring daddy.
# 5 Sep at 11:34 pm
Thank god that dear green doll was found – am praying that Aria feels better asap xoxo
# 6 Sep at 12:05 am
Todays story reminds me of my son chasing the clothes line round and round when his cuddly blanket had to be washed for a whole morning. And another we boy discarding his sheep skin when I chopped a pooey bit of it as he was so distraught about it needing to be washed!! The comfort children get from a special toy/cuddly etc. Pretty small in the bigger picture when you have been through what Aria and her family have been through, but big to Aria…..
Go well and take care.
# 6 Sep at 1:43 am
So glad you found green dolly. I pray that Anita is feeling better soon. Blessings, Judy.
# 6 Sep at 2:47 am
Soooooooooo pleased precious Doll Doll was found, praying Anita is feeling better soon
# 6 Sep at 3:07 am
Phew!! So glad to read on and see that Green Dolly was found! She really does feel like part of the family. It’s always been Aria and Green Dolly, they are inseperable, like bread and butter:)
# 6 Sep at 3:36 am
That was an awesome post Hamish, so well written. Was like reading a mystery novel where you are holding your breath to see what happens & are tempted to read the last page in advance to ease the apprenhension!!!!
Must admit I was holding my breath while reading & my heart sunk at each point where Doll Doll wasn’t there!!!!
What really got me was Aria saying Blue dolly will do. What an amazing attitude vs having a tantrum. She is just like her Mummy & Daddy taking these things in her stride at such a tender young age.
Great & incredible ’story’. Reminds me of the.. Once upon a time…..they lived happily ever after.
Excellent writing, having us all in suspense then able to relax & breathe at the end. Thank you.
Blessings to you all
# 6 Sep at 5:20 am
Wow what a lovely story! That green doll surely deserves a long story – shes been left out of the stories too long, cheers guys.
Thank you Papa for finding “Doll Doll” and thank you for a lovely article today and thank you for healing Anita.
Praise God for a wonderful long outing for you all, all ends well amen.
# 6 Sep at 8:49 am
Great post with an awesome ending! You know, we have kind of gotten attached to green dolly, too!! Glad to know she was found and that God anwered your prayers! And Aria continues to awaze us with her great attitude!
Love you guys! And praying that Anita feels better, SOON!
# 6 Sep at 6:27 pm
Praying Anita is feeling better. She has 2 excellent and experienced nurses in Aria and Green dolly.May they take good care of her till she feels better.
# 6 Sep at 11:43 pm
Love the post Hamish and so glad Green Doll is safe with the MacDonalds.
Anita hope you are feeling better soon. Sound like Aria is making good progress.
# 7 Sep at 1:31 am
well I for one was relieved after I go to the end of that saga.So proud of Aria’s strength and staunchness. she must be Rewa hard!love u guys
# 7 Sep at 5:35 pm
We have misplaced lylas blankie before, it is awful! So glad she is home safe, I get scared when I am lost in the hospital too!! (: praying for Arias cold, and for Anita as well. Love the Elsaessers
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