I played with that doll for countless hours, yet was always very careful with her. The only thing I had remaining from her was her white sequined ballerina dress and pink hose. I saved those in my first communion purse all these years just to look at and think about my long lost doll.

I could conjure up a picture of her in my mind to the last detail. I even remember a small pen point ink mark she somehow got on her elbow. What I would give just to see her again.

Four years ago in November, a group of my family and I went antiquing at an antique mall. To my shock I saw Elise in a glass case. I couldn’t believe it and brought everyone to see her. She was $350 and I could not get the price down. I couldn’t afford her, but was thankful to at least see her again. Everything was exactly how I remembered, except she was wearing a blue dress.

I was so happy just to have seen her again, I actually cried in the parking lot. My brother, of course, thought my reaction to be odd, but what did he know? It wasn't his doll.

That Christmas my husband informed me that he had gone back to purchase that doll for me for Christmas, but it was gone.

Gone?

I couldn’t believe it - first of all, that he was ready to buy it for me and then, it was GONE! Talk about heartache.

Well, now that I had the ok, no way was I going to give up. So I got the name and phone number of the dealer that had her. I was at least going to find out what happened to Elise. To my surprise the dealer informed me that she took her out of the case to be re strung after a customer had broken her. Yes, my precious Elise was still for sale.

I went to the woman’s house, and not only was able to purchase her, but was given a few accessories for free. The lady even lowered the price to $314, without my asking.

And now for the topper - and I swear this is the truth - this Elise has a pen point ink mark on her elbow in the exact same place. So I think she was really my Elise, just redressed. Of course I put her in the white dress and tights I had saved for all those years, and I made her the white sequined tiara like the one she came with.

“She is my Elise.”