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Playing with toys filled my days growing up. My pogo-stick and pogo-ball allowed me to bounce all over the sidewalk, working on my balance as I sprung everywhere. I jumped on the pogo-stick so much that I wore out the spring, and the pogo-ball wore thin on the bottom from all the use. Yet to this day, the pogo-ball remains on the back patio at my parents' home, providing entertainment for their brave grandchildren and the opportunity for their grown children to reminisce and feel young again.

My Barbie Big-Wheel tricycle was one of my favorite toys. I could ride around outside with my favorite Barbie doll strapped in her own special seat attached to the front of my plastic handle bars, enjoying the view as I chauffeured her around the neighborhood. My favorite indoor toy combined with the exercise of peddling around the block while the bright sunshine brought me warmth filled me with such happiness.

In addition, I enjoyed playing with the baby and adult My Little Pony toys I collected. Their beautiful tails and manes were combed often with their special brushes, and I admired their branded designs. I tucked my baby pony into his crib, pretending to feed him with his bottle while his mommy looked on. I took them on runs through the pastures of my bedroom, and they even joined in the play with my Barbie dolls as pets.

My Cabbage Patch Kid was my own precious little baby that I spoiled, as I imagined one day growing up to be a mother. She was not simply a toy. She was dear to my heart. I would play house with her- dressing her, feeding her, putting her to sleep, and patterning other interactions with her based on my observations of my own mother caring for my younger siblings. My imagination and optimism helped me relish the present while dreaming of the future.

I am relieved to see that many of these precious toys are still available today. Some have newer, "improved" models, but I still think the world of the versions I came to cherish growing up.

Learn more about this author, D. K. Olsen.
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