Dolly who belonged to some very unkind owners before, so now her porcelain is scraped and cracked and marred.
Dolly who kept meeting new owners who extra promised to help her fill in those cracks and buff out those scrapes and replace her damaged pieces.
Dolly whose owners always did, for a time. But there was always too much damage for them to enjoy playing with her for very long.
They would always ask "Why aren't the scratches all gone?", "Why does the damage to you still make it harder for you to do things?", "Why does your head keep coming loose? Why can't you just make it stay on?"
Didn't they know it's because you can't repair lifetimes of scratches and cracks so quickly? Didn't they know it takes a lot of time and love to fix her back up? Didn't they know she still needs to know you love and want her, even after you take her as your own?
Dolly who's had to pick up all her broken pieces again after owner after owner played with her too rough or threw her out.
Dolly who's had to try and buff out her own scratches and fill in her own cracks all alone because how could anyone, even her owner, care enough about her to really want to help?
How could anyone ever see her as anything more than an afterthought? Something to be put back on the shelf while they play with prettier toys, then be taken back down when they feel bored.
Dolly who needs more than just a word or two when she asks if you still like playing with her.
Dolly who really likes it when you say you like her outfit or her form or her hair or her lips or anything else.
Dolly who just wants you to show that you love her, and help her buff out all those scratches and fill in all those cracks and learn that people can play nice with her and hold her gently.
Dolly who just wants you to be patient with her and not give up on her, because she's not giving up on herself either.
Cause if you do, and you love that dolly right, her love will last forever and ever.