There are many great and
adventurous things that cross our paths; however, do we subconsciously prepare
for these adventures through our imaginary friends and the time we spend with
them? Are the toys we play with meant to lead us through life and to help with
experiences yet to come? Is this, the job of a toy?
Within
Patrick McGuire’s article, “Imaginary Friends,” there are beautiful anecdotes
about the times he’s spent playing with his toys (some tie clips) and how they
had wonderful adventures. One tale in particular stands out, he and a friend
are playing with toy soldiers and when they die on the battle field they hold
burial services for the fallen heroes. What I found interesting is his
connection between the fallen soldiers and when Ward Bond – the wagon master on
Wagon Train – died, he was able to mourn the loss in a way similar to his
heroes.
Growing
up I was a huge Barbie fan. I had countless Barbies, a few Ken dolls, the pink convertible,
a mansion and the best part was the enormous wardrobe Barbie possessed. My
Barbies went through everyday life with me, playing out the good and the bad
days. They were my friends and I took care of them life family. I cleaned them
up, not a hair out of place, I never lost a shoe and the mansion had a place
for everything and everything was in its place. Thinking back to the wonderful
adventures they had, could they have been leading me through adventures that I
too would have?
Their adventures
ranged from travel to cooking, albeit fake food. So I ask, were Barbie and her
friends preparing me for the life of an adult? Thinking back to the
conversations and travels I played out on the floor of my room, there are many
similarities between their adventures and the one’s I have experienced in my
life; a life without my Barbie family. I now travel and with the help of the
amazing adventures to my mother’s closet, I feel prepared for the roads that
lie ahead. Although, the roads are not filled with socks, there are plenty of
diversions which correlate with Barbie’s travels. She also taught me to be well
prepared by needing clothes for sudden temperature changes, so, like Barbie, I
pack my suitcase with items that prepare me for the unknown.
Patrick
McGuire discusses the relation of toys and how their “lives” never cease. He
states:
Toys never
die. They can be abandoned or boxed up and sent to a shelter for the homeless.
They can be destroyed: plastic soldiers can be melted, iron cannons can rust;
wooden dolls and puppets can burn – but the toys never die. And at the shelter,
when the box opened, some child will find a doll that suits him or her just
fine. (McGuire par. 12)
Although I believe that the toy
will never die, as long as the unthinkable does not happen, I feel as though
the life of a toy is to show a child the possibilities of life, the
unimaginable made imaginable. They teach life lessons that do not fade away
into extinction but rather they mutate and become a fundamental part of our
adult lives.
I
may no longer play with my Barbie family and have wonderful adventures but they
have prepared me for the wonderful travels which I now encounter as an adult. They
have shown me how to organize and clean my home, even though at the time I
thought I was solely playing and keeping them safe. They have taught me to show
compassion to others and to show love to family and friends. These wonderful
memories are only one small part of their “job,” they have shown me, through
play, the wonderful adventures which lie ahead of me. And if my Barbie was able
to teach me so much, what is my daughter’s Barbie teaching her?
Works
Cited
McGuire, Patrick. “Imaginary Friends.” Notre Dame Magazine. 7 Oct. 2015: N.P. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Link:
Link:
