As Dolly rambles through the open field that she left so many years ago her memories take over; plowing the fields after her parents died; watching the cows frolic with joy when they were put out to pasture after the long winter in the barn; finding her “thinking tree” at the end of the field where she took refuge when life overwhelmed her, resting her cheek on the rough bark for solace.
Nellie was so curious she followed Dolly every step of her walk around the field. It was 35 years since Dolly had left Black Rock in tears and grief.
Everyone has at least one: a favorite. Whether they care to admit it or not, whether their denial is aimed at others or simply starts with themselves, favorites are an inevitable outcome of interactions. Favorites are unavoidable, and so should not only be not denied, but embraced—publically whenever possible! Not in a mean-spirited or condescending way, but in celebratory fashion that declares “this is my best friendship possible!”
Some favorites take years to acquire, while others are practically instantaneous. Some are only in the moment in which the interaction exists, and others are life-long. She is my life-long favorite, my true rock and foundation in good times and bad, my faithful companion, my loyal friend. She is my opposite and complement, who and what I need when I cannot do for myself, an ever-present reminder that without her, I am less than whole. She is my favorite human, and I will follow her anywhere she goes.
I loved your comment about “favorites.” You’re right, favorites should be celebrated and declared. We all have them. As children we have favorite uncles or aunts and favorite dolls, raggedy and worn, but loved.
I guess in this photo even horses like Nelly have favorites. Dolly is it for the moment.
I beleive your book about Dolly ,,,is a wonderful book,,,,,,,,your have done a super job with it and it does so describe the way people lived in those days…….also why I like the book so much is because I am related to most of the people in the book and it’s nice to know how they grew up………….Thanks you for making this book available………..
Thank you Judy. It was so exciting for me to visit Black Rock and make all my fantasies of my mother’s childhood become real.
The newest benefit of writing the book is meeting people like you who are connected to that little village in the same way that I am,
through our family trees. It’s a continuing adventure.