marilyn385's Journal

The Rubber Stamp

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I routinely stamp the invoices with�“date entered”.�I enjoy this task, the clicking sound of the self –inking stamp, the repetition, the neat uniform size of the letters and numbers.

I remember as a child wishing for a rubber stamp.�I used to cut shapes out of pieces of potatoes and use food color to press images on my books.

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This fascination began with trips to our neighborhood library.�Back then libraries were still quiet.�No one ate or chewed gum in the library.�If we were even whispering we would get a “Shhh” from the librarian.�She seemed to know off the top of her head where all of the books were and could answer any of our childish questions. She would patiently explain to me time and again how the Dewy Decimal System worked.

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The librarian wore a dress and I remember her bracelets that tinkled as she stamped the books.�I was mesmerized by this motion and sound of the repetition of the stamp, her bracelets and the scent of her perfume mixed with the smell of the paper and ink.

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In my bedroom I was the librarian, checking books out with my potato stamp, wearing my mothers bracelets.

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Today I have a “real” stamp and I get to use it as part of my job on a daily basis.�Most times it is just a mundane task but today I recall the Librarian and realize I now have what I always wished for, a rubber stamp.

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9/28/06