Money did not come easy for our family. In fact, my folkse often worried about how the monthly bills would be paid. But they were proud and hardworking. Anyway, we would get 1 -3 toys per year. And, how I looked forward to those! They would be played with and cherished. One special toy was a marionette in a box that doubled as it's own theater. It was a Flintstone TV show marionette. Being sick much of the year and confined to bed, this toy provided me with countless hours of company, if you will, and certainly helped to stimulate my already overactive imagination. Although the toy is not in the best of shape and has a must odor from the many cellars and sheds that it has lived in, I still own it. And, foolish or not, choose not to part with it. Much more than for any ridiculous toy value (which it undoubtedly has lost due to its condition), but for the immense value of having a tangible memory of my childhood and, more importantly, my loving parents.

EGG CARTON CATERPILLAR CRAYON HOLDER
by Emma S.