A Little too Close to Home

J turned seven in December, and this year for her birthday we got her an American Girl Doll.  Now if you are unfamiliar with American Girl dolls, allow me to educate you briefly.  I believe they got started in maybe the late eighties/early nineties with dolls and books of 9-10-11 year old girls living in different periods of American History.  These dolls could be purchased, along with "authentic" accessories.  It was a really great idea, and it apparently stuck.  I've been to the American Girl store in Chicago.  It might be the closest thing I have had to a cult experience (that and the Twilight movie, but I digress).

We have contributed to this madness.  My oldest daughter has Kirsten and Molly, and J has Bitty Baby (AG's baby doll, so you can spend ridiculous amounts of money on your daughters at a VERY young age).  J agonized long and hard over which "big doll" to get, and finally settled on Kit.  

I think mostly because Kit is the historical doll that most resembles her in looks.  

But Kit and her story is starting to hit a little too close to home.  See, Kit's story takes place in 1934.  Kit Kittridge is "a clever resourceful girl who helps her family cope with the dark days of the Great Depression, " to quote Meet Kit. 

Since Kit came to live at our house, at least 4 of my friends or acquaintances have lost jobs.  Stores are closing on our small town's main street.  Stores that we are "famous" for.  Houses are sitting on the market.  Companies are laying off workers.  People are starting to look worried.  

Kit came with a book about "her."  It tells of her life in Cincinnati, OH.  J and I have been reading it.   Her daddy lost his job and had to go to Chicago to look for work...leaving her mother to rent out bedrooms in their home to make ends meet.  

In the past, I read about that time in history with a sense of detachment.  I don't any longer.  And although I am not afraid, I do hope that Kit coming to our house isn't a sign of things to come.