Our Own Lynn Murray and Aretha Franklin

This has been another sad, strange week, to go with this morose, miserable year.  We mourn first our dear friend Lynn Murray, a talented, gracious woman and well-know citizen of the world of dolls.


Lynn was a contributor and good friend to the doll magazine I used to work for.  The old editors adored her, and I could see why.  She was kind and helpful, and brave.  Her work was meticulous and very helpful to me and to other collectors and writers.  Her cheerful posts on FB were an inspiration; all I can say is , now who is remembered with so much love, and how has such friends, ever really dies.


Aretha Franklin was Queen of Soul, but also a Queen of Hearts.  Just days ago, it seems, she became one of my Twitter followers on Dr. E's Doll Museum, or her rep was.  I do know it was her official page.  She had only done one tweet at the time.  I was touched and honored; occasionally, a celebrity will join our Twitter family and we welcome them as we do all followers, especially those interested in dolls.  Yet, this is not the only time she has touched my life.


When I was ten, I had my photo taken at a local studio.  My parents had it done every year on my birthday.  That year, the photo was entered in a national contest, and Aretha Franklin was one of the judges.


This week is an anniversary for many deaths; the 15th, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, would have been my grandmother Marie's birthday and her name day.  She and my Dad died November 15th.  It's the 9 month anniversary of Dad's death and my friend Steph Hammonds ( well known paper doll artist, collector, and author) death.   August 14th, 1974, a close friend named Janet C. died in a car accident.  She had just recovered from a terrible year of health issues.  Life is not fair, not at all.


I've bee to too many funerals this year, read too many obituaries.  Many, like my beautiful Rosemary, Mikki B, doll artist, Steph, kept me going when my family was in crisis.  Now they are with the angel, too. When I lost my mother, some of me died with her.  There is no closure, only coping, and remembering.  God bless all who read my blogs, and may all who grieve find peace.