One characteristic that all four Vogie kids possessed was ambition. While their dreams and passions varied, their determination did not. This was evident at a young age in all of the kids but particularly in Sarah. Strong-willed, confident, and active, she always did what she set out to do. Given instructions and pointed in the right direction Sarah was helpful and hard working. However, sometimes her enthusiasm got her into trouble, such as the time when Sarah was really little and she drank an entire bottle of Baby Tylenol. Another time she walked to a neighbor’s house without telling anyone because she wanted to visit someone. There was one day, however, that topped all others.
Around three years old at the time, Sarah had a porcelain doll that Grandma had given her. It was Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and was dressed in a pink gown with a red cloak. Sarah was allowed to look at the doll and touch it when she first got it but then it was placed on the top of Sarah’s dresser so she wouldn’t break it. For several months Sarah forgot about the doll until one day she saw it, just sitting there. She decided that it was time someone played with that doll, and that someone was her.
“Libby, can you get that?” she asked, pointing to the doll.
“Well, did you ask Mom if you could play with it?” asked Libby.
“Uhmmm, no.” said Sarah.
“Why don’t you ask Mom if you can play with it, and then if she says yes, I’ll get it down for you.” This answer provided a road block for Sarah. Being foiled by an older sister did not stop Sarah, though. She waited until a few days later to take action. Whether this was to calm suspicious minds or formulate a plan, no one will ever know.
After making sure she was alone Sarah pulled the bottom drawer of the dresser all the way out. Next she pulled the drawer directly above it half-way out. There were no more drawers so Sarah opened the doors of the cabinet part which had two shelves inside. Slowly Sarah put one foot on the edge of the bottom drawer. Using a shelf to pull herself up, she put her other foot on the second drawer. Sarah grabbed another shelf and continued to climb the piece of furniture.
Finally, she could just see the beautiful doll. One chubby little hand let go of the edge and reached for the coveted toy. As she did she leaned her head back a little and the already unstable dresser tipped forward, away from the wall!
In her surprise and fright Sarah let go and slipped to the floor. The dresser followed her in its fall but luckily Sarah’s bed was not far away from where the dresser stood. It fell on the bed and made a triangle with the floor with Sarah in the space between the dresser and the floor.
Sarah’s cries and the sound of crashing and banging had brought Mom running.
“Oh! Sarah! Are you alright?” Mom asked as she pulled Sarah out from under the fallen furniture. Unable to speak Sarah simply nodded yes and after Mom checked for broken bones or blood, she believed her. Mom set the dresser upright again and cleaned up the flower pot and glass bowl that had been broken in the crash. During the cleanup Mom integrated Sarah, who had somewhat recovered from her fright.
“What in the world where you doing?” Mom asked.
“Trying to get my doll.” Sarah replied, now clearly more afraid of getting in trouble than getting of getting squished.
“Did you climb the dresser?” A nod from Sarah sufficed for an answer. “Do you know you might have seriously injured yourself?” Sarah hung her head and Mom softened. “Don’t ever do that again. We don’t climb on the furniture. If you want something, ask for it next time.” Sarah decided not to mention the fact that she had asked Libby. From then on, Sarah also chose to play with toys that were on the floor. Not only were they easier to reach, but they were less dangerous.
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