When I was sent this beautiful book for review it elicited so many deep emotions in me, because i have a very deep and personal relationship with these stacking dolls. So it was with a mixture of joy and sadness that I opened the book to read.
The story of Babushka is a beautifully woven folk tale, following Babushka as she embarks on a journey to discover her purpose in life. In the beginning we are introduced to the many facets that make up Babushka - Antonia, the outermost shell which is her beauty, Next Loretta the body of richness and wealth with a desire to help others, Paula - the body of her talent, Viola the body which held all of her wisdom, and finally at the centre Mary her heart - the embodiment of love and compassion. A poignant reminder that we all have many layers within us, making up who we are and what we are capable of.
As Babushka travels she encounters a series of opportunities to explore her purpose in life, & loses a little of herself in each situation. Lessons are learnt about what is important in life, and what i means to accept and value our whole self.
'We can never be happy without the love that unites is together as one'.
Babushka dolls have a very special place in my heart and home, so this story with it's important message touched me deeply. (WARNING this personal story may be triggering to those who've experienced child loss and contains graphic imagery which will be upsetting to some).
In 2009 after many many years of trying, and eventual IVF treatment I was finally going to be a mummy. Pregnant with twins all my dreams were coming true, that is until at 20 weeks I started to experience deep contraction like pains. I rushed to the hospital and was monitored and told that the babies were fine and all was ok, and sent home later that day. One week later we went back for our 21 week scan, full of excitement to hear what we were having - 2 boys? 2 girls? One of each? We didn't care, we were just so happy to be having a family at last. During the scan it was quickly evident that something was wrong. They could only find one heartbeat. 'I'm sorry one of the babies has died' I was told. I argued with him - no, this couldn't be right we were in hospital only a week ago and were scanned and told that both babies were fine, one a little smaller but two heartbeats and all ok! Look again I begged, you must be wrong. 'No, he replied, she's definitely gone, the skull has already begun to cave in'. WHY would you give a parent this horrible image to carry with them?? We were as you can imagine devastated (I'm crying now 11 years later as i type this). But were also so blessed that our baby boy, now a gorgeous, sensitive and funny 11 year old, survived.
When the babies were born 4 months later, we had both the joy of our new baby son, but also the sadness of arranging for the cremation and internment of our Daughter Eden's remains. I couldn't bear the thought of her being parted from me, or her twin brother, but also didn't want her to have the impersonal vase like urn that was the only option. I wanted her to have something beautiful and childlike to rest in, where she could be a part of our family life, and so I had the idea of using a set of Russian stacking dolls, the perfect urn for our baby girl. This set with the Mother holding her baby close was perfect as I will forever hold her in my heart.
Eden watches over us all from her viewpoint on the shelf in the living room, sharing family life, bedtime stories on the sofa, the Friday movies and Sunday chillouts - now with her own special book, that just hers, to read and enjoy whenever she wishes.
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