Annmarie Throckmorton, M.A.
- Jun 17, 2019

Bonuses

Having not had books or toys when I was a child, in late middle age I finally realized that sorrowing over that neglect was counterproductive so I put an end to it. I comforted myself by collecting two kinds of inexpensive, miniature toys, porcelain dolls and toy vehicles. I kept them in two candy boxes that I acquired just before I stopped eating candy, which was another very good life decision. I knew that someday I would be ready to give my little collections of toys to someone else's child, since I have none of my own. Today was that someday. The man that mows my lawn had his young daughter working for him in my yard and I gave that overworked little girl a bonus. I gave her my collection of porcelain dolls from the 1990's in a five-pound, heart-shaped, red velvet candy box. I could tell by the tender way that she looked at the miniature dolls and how she gently touched them that she liked them very much. The porcelain dolls are thirty years old now, someday they will be heirlooms. Her two young brothers also come and work for their father, and the miniature vehicles in a shiny red metal candy box are earmarked for one; and a dutchsinse.com (earthquake reports) T-shirt that I happen to have is for the other. I am really looking forward to seeing if they like their bonuses too.

I have never seen such young children doing such heavy work, and I am worried about it, especially as they are on the small side, very thin.