Once upon a time, at least 3 decades plus a few years ago, Earl and I were young, poor, struggling college students. Now mind you, all of this is just perspective......meaning young = in our twenties and not much experience in life; poor = not alot of dollars per month to live on; struggling = trying to live within our means; and students = at a teachable state in our lives.
Robert was around 8 years old and we had just had our little baby girl, Billie Jo. Christmas was nearing and we were trying to make purchases that were worth the investment, or in other words, were of such quality to last a few years and had a purpose for their existence. For our little beauty, we chose a butterfly flutter ball. The purposes of this ball were to help develop hand-eye coordination, motivate her to crawl and provide entertainment. This purchase was most likely under $10.
Five children, nine grandchildren, various cousins, friends, acquaintances and thirty plus years later, the beautiful butterfly flutterball has cracked! Being the conservative people we are, we could get some super glue and try to fix it up--but my kids would roll their eyes and laugh at us. I really hate to throw this little ball away -- there are so many memories attached! Memories of our trailer in Logan and our little family; memories of our house at Ft. Carson and two little girls chasing the butterfly ball; memories of the "little house" and two little girls and one little boy chasing the butterfly ball; memories of "Aunt Jo's house" and 2 big sisters, one protective little brother, and one little precocious girl chasing the butterfly ball; and then two big protective sisters, one teasing brother, and a little/big sister and one happy-go-lucky little baby girl chasing the butterfly ball!
A few years retirement in the red toybox and then the butterfly ball found its way back out to family life and ready for another little girl to begin her pursuit of the butterfly ball. Again and again other small hands have been in pursuit of the butterfly housed within the ball.
Is it the end of an era and the legend of the butterfly ball, or should I buy a tube of super glue and save the ball? I need your input! Now -- be careful with my feelings and the emotion attached to this ball! Remember all the little hands that have touched the butterfly ball -- little hands of learning and development.
Whatever the outcome of the ball -- this was one of the best investments Earl and I ever made! It would be difficult to beat a $10 investment that has lasted over thirty years and provided so much for so many!
10 comments:
Please, save it!!!!! When I saw that it was cracked last time I was there, I was completely heartbroken and wanted to glue it back together myself. I am not even going to deny the fact that my little baby may have been the culprit in this ball's demise!
I say save it!
Don't forget that when Rick and I were also young, struggling, law students we took that ball with us to Oklahoma for our little baby boy. I have a tube of super glue that will fix that right up.
SUPER GLUE. SUPER GLUE. SUPER GLUE. To think that ball could have been the start to my whole coordination and creativity- this should be put in a museum SERIOUSLY!
Well, the answer is obvious to me but I have been accused a time or two of being too sentimental and holding on to things too long. That being said, I think you should absolutely glue that ball back together and hold on to it forever! What a beautiful story!
I remember the butterfly ball!! Definatly super glue and it will be just like new!!
You have to save it! Rajko hasn't even had his chance to be part of the history of this ball...please don't take that chance away from him!
I know we try to get you to throw stuff away all the time, but his is NOT one of those moments.
Thank you for your beautiful post. I loved it. Rajko is dying to see you!!!
I can see why you didn't have much luck since I haven't updated that blog in oh- I don't know, a year? Try www.nateandstacia.blogspot.com
Well if the ball can't be fixed to play with, you could put it in a memory box, because it sounds like it has alot of memories. I don't think I ever kept anything that long, I wish I had been more sentimental. Dixie
With so many memories and great times, you definitely need to save it!
I have finally made up my mind. If your next grandchild is a girl, you should keep the ball as it will be used to teach coordination and as an enjoyable toy. If it is a boy, you can go ahead and get rid of it as it has seemingly been used recently as a weapon. In fact, as I understand it, it could have been broken as it was thrown at my poor little Evan's back.
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