Docia stories
Thinking about a tribute for Docia, I remember how much she loved stories–the hearing, remembering, telling of them. She shared many of these stories through our magazine and we collected them into a book still cherished by many. Please help me write a tribute for Docia that shares stories about her. If you have a Docia anecdote that you would like to offer and that I could excerpt for this project, please send it to me bonnien@childcareexchange.com
I think Docia would like this idea.
Dear Bonnie
The world is filled with mysteries. I wanted to share this one with you.
I awoke from a dream early on Christmas morning. I was smiling. The dream
was delightful, funny, and seasonal—the kind of dream that you want to
have on Christmas.
In my dream I was with Docia and some of my students in a house very like
Docia’s home in Los Angeles. Outside it was night and there was snow on
the ground.
I had given my students an assignment. To take early childhood materials
and furnishings to create a good classroom for young children.
Each pair of students was given blocks, chairs, tables, toys, and books.
Docia helped me to load the students’ materials into sleighs at the front
door. We bundled each pair of students under blankets in their sleigh and
they flew away pulled by teams of reindeer into the cold night sky to
their assigned classrooms where they would create their environment.
As the last sleighful of students pulled away Docia explained to me that
she would have to go. I helped her on with her warm red winter coat with
big buttons.
I opened the front door and there stood an elephant. The elephant was
bedecked with golden tapestries and jewels. It was being ridden by a Hindu
god—huge, muscular, handsome. He had a bright red hibiscus flower tucked
behind one ear. Docia and I embraced and the god reached down his hand and
helped Docia to climb aboard. She waved and they strode away into the
snowing, peaceful night.
Dreams usually leave me right away. But this one stayed with me as I lay
in bed on Christmas morning. When my husband, Jeff, woke up I told him about it
enjoying the images again. A week later I learned that Docia had died on
Christmas eve.
I’m not a religious person and I’m not given to flights of fancy. I do think we are all connected. Docia was very special to so many people. She was very important to me. I know I am different, better, for having known her.
I love the image of Docia astride an elephant riding into eternity with a handsome god. I hope you love it too.
Eva