The Bunk Bed

As my brother says: "We grew up observing Chanukah, but magically Santa Claus would make a delivery. Our house didn't even have a fireplace, but he would figure out how to get in."

When I was six years old, I decided I wanted bunk beds for my dolls. The problem was, no one was selling them. (Perhaps Matell should have hired me as a consultant.) During the weeks before Christmas, my dad was busy out in the garage -- and I was told to stay out.

According to my older brother, this was my father's design. It was such a great set -- the beds even unstacked! My father used round-headed screws at the top of each bedpost and created a matching recess in each leg.

Afghan on top bunk is a schlafsacke. Click to enlarge the photo.

My mom made the mattresses and pillows. My maternal grandmother crocheted the afghans and shipped them from New York to Colorado where we lived. One of the afghans was actually a pocket, a sleeping bag like a European schlafsäcke used to keep babies warm. As I recall, the afghans were made in another time of year. Clearly, Santa liked the way they looked on the bunkbed!

Years later, my parents gave the bunk bed to family friends. No one seems to know where it ended up. At least I have the photo and it takes up far less space in my home.