For What It’s Worth:
A Guest Post by Mary L. Hamilton
“Worth isn’t always measured in dollars and cents. Sometimes it’s measured in the heart.”
So, what value would you place on a vintage Raggedy Ann doll whose arm has fallen off? One of her legs is hanging on by a thread, and she’s missing half of her faded orange hair. I doubt many of us would give her a second look. But in the novel, great worth is bestowed on her by a little girl living on borrowed time because of a genetic heart defect.
At four years old, Paisley is waiting for a heart transplant. She has an amusing habit of undressing all her dolls. She finds Raggedy Ann in a house her mother is helping clean out. Her mother, Lyndee Rae, takes the doll home intending to reattach the arm and leg. But when she tries to return the doll, Paisley has become so attached to her that she throws a royal tantrum. Let’s find out why by tapping into a conversation between her mother and Di whose late mother owned the doll and wanted it passed on to someone who would treasure it as she had.
Lyndee Rae slid into the car’s seat and waited until they were on their way. “Remember how she undresses all her dolls? When she found this one in the basket of toys, the first thing she did was take the clothes off.”
Di chuckled, imagining the scene.
Lyndee Rae continued. “When she did, she noticed the embroidered heart on the doll’s chest. Several of the threads are frayed and torn apart. She showed it to me and said—” her voice caught “—she said, ‘She needs a new heart just like me.’”
Di’s breath stalled. Tingles spread down her back. “Oh, my.”
“I would’ve fixed the threads while I had it, but she wouldn’t let me. She barely let go of it long enough for me to fix the arm and the leg. I thought I’d have to do it while she slept. But she especially wanted the heart to stay the same. ‘Just like me,’ she said.”
Paisley gives Di her first lesson on finding worth where there is no apparent value. But there are more lessons to come when you read Worthless Treasures. Hint: Discussion questions included at the back make this short novel a great choice for book clubs.
About Worthless Treasures
Although Diamond considers everything in her mother's house trash, Eva left behind a specific list of five seemingly worthless objects—a piano, a rag doll, a ceramic vase, a vintage necklace, and a star painting. Eva requested these items be passed on to others who will cherish them as much as she did.
At a time when Diamond questions her own self-worth, she sees little value in the items on the list. Who in the world would accept--much less treasure--a piano that will always be out of tune, a doll that’s lost half its hair, or any of the other worthless items on Eva’s list? But to assuage her guilt, and Eva's perceived disappointment in her, Diamond determines to honor her mother’s last wishes, commencing an emotional journey through dusty memories and buried regrets.
The unexpected arrival of an old flame, the threat of her childhood home being demolished, and a child’s urgent health problem force Diamond to consider what truly matters.
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4497KMT
Other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/b5GggO
About Mary L. Hamilton
Award-winning Texas author Mary L. Hamilton writes contemporary novels rippled with faith. She finds inspiration for her stories in everyday life and includes characters who wrestle with various aspects of faith. When not writing, Mary enjoys reading, knitting, and quiet evenings at home with her husband. They have three grown children and three amazing grandsons.
Website: https://maryhamiltonbooks.com/
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Website: https://maryhamiltonbooks.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/maryhamiltonbooks
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Photo credits: All courtesy of Mary L. Hamilton
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