Gretchan with Jack
Canfield co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: and other titles as well as
motivational speaker.
Latest News & Events
Wareham
Woman of the Year: Author turned grief into tribute to children
The Standard-Times By Lauren Daley
CONTRIBUTING WRITER December 27, 2010 12:00 AM
WAREHAM —
While vacationing on Cape Cod in 2001, Gretchan and Warren Pyne spotted double
rainbows in the sky. They stopped to take a video of their 4-year-old daughter
Lulu after a fun-filled day at the beach.
Olivia "Lulu" Pyne — a
little girl with blond hair, saucer blue eyes and rosy red lips — posed
for Dad underneath the double rainbows. She leaned against an unsecured bike
rack in a parking lot, and it toppled over, severing her heart and killing her
instantly.
"When Lulu died, she was dancing underneath double
rainbows," recalled her mother, author Gretchan Pyne of Wareham.
"She's
been gone nine years and I've never felt bitter. They say there are phases (of
grief), but I don't necessarily believe in phases; I think it comes in waves,"
Pyne said.
"I believe everything happens for a reason; all of our lives
have a purpose. It brings me joy to share Lulu, and I don't find that bitter at
all," said Pyne, who has written three children's books featuring Lulu, and has
five more in the works.
All proceeds from sales of these books support
scholarships and children's charities.
For her efforts to turn personal
devastation into common good, Pyne has been named the 2010 Standard-Times Woman
of the Year for Wareham. Nominations for the award came from the community and
members of the newspaper staff. Recipients were selected by a newsroom
committee.
Not only does Pyne write the Lulu books, but every summer,
she and her husband invite parents who have lost children to their converted
cottage in Wareham, called "Lulu's House of Hope."
"The parents come to
Lulu's Cottage, and we walk to go to Lulu's garden, where we have a butterfly
release ceremony. We do meditations, and talk to each other," Pyne said.
"It's just through word of mouth that people end up coming. I get a lot
of calls when someone has lost a child; I end up doing a lot of phone
counseling with people," she said.
Warren Pyne is a chiropractor in
Easton, and Gretchan works at his office full-time. Their twin 18-year-old
boys, Andrew and Dylon, graduated from Wareham High School last year and
currently attend Bridgewater State College.
Gretchan Pyne is currently
working on a new Lulu book, to be released this summer, called "I Am The
Rainbow."
"I had a dream where I got to visit Lulu in heaven, and she
said, 'I'm not under the rainbow — I am the rainbow,'" Pyne recalled.
On her writings, Pyne said, "I knew the world needed to know that this
beautiful little girl existed, and parents need to know how precious all
children are. Two years after she died, 'Rose-Colored Glasses' was born. When I
got the book in my hands, it was truly Lulu saying to me, 'Mom, it's time to
find your rose-colored glasses,'" Pyne said.
At first, Pyne donated the
proceeds from the book to the Wareham YMCA.
"But then we decided a year
and a half ago, it would be great if Lulu had her own foundation, so we could
help even more people. We could help families who were grieving, as well," she
said.
Pyne is also in the process of creating a documentary, so far
untitled, about the power of giving.
"I hope it inspires people,
especially those going through a hard time emotionally or financially. We all
have our crosses to bear. Sometimes the cross you bear can be your greatest
gift. I'm hoping it will teach children and adults that we're all a part of
something greater than ourselves," Pyne said.
For more about the Lulu
Foundation, visit www.Lulubellebooks.com, or write to The Olivia "Lulu" Pyne
Foundation Of Hope, 264 Cromesett Road, Wareham, MA 02571.
In
the News!
The Standard Times
Click the arrow below
to watch Gretchan's interview on Fox Channel 64! (Originally aired on
3/26/10.)
Click the arrow below to watch Gretchan's interview with Walt
Buteau on Channel 12 Evening News Street Stories! (Originally aired on
3/26/10.)
Click the arrow below to watch Gretchan's interview on Fox
Channel 25! (Originally aired on 3/12/10.)
Click
the arrow below to watch Gretchan's interview on WBZ TV 38! (Originally aired
on 3/12/10.)
The Lulu Foundation along with Principal Martha Kay and the
entire team at The Alfred Gomes School are implementing program
"Dream, Believe and Do!" The Alfred Gomes School in New Bedford,
MA is the first "Dream,
Believe and Do!" school in the country! Our beta site
school has a dream... To inspire their children to be passionate about learning
and through their education, they can make their dreams come true! Our students
are creating original works of art that will inspire their entire community!
Check back for future updates on our school, our program, our art auction and
documentary! What the mind believes... it will achieve!
Click to learn more about the "Dream
Believe and Do" program!
The
Lulu Foundation
Empower a child and change the
world!
The mission of The
Lulu Foundation is to empower children who have suffered. We believe that
every child is special and powerful and deserves the right to feel that way. It
is through positive energy and the arts that we allow children the opportunity
to explore their special gift and unleash the power within. It is in the
creative process that healing takes place.
Our current education system
is taking away the very process that allows children to expand and become the
creators of tomorrow. It is through teaming and the hands-on creative process
that children become motivated and inspired to work hard and are allowed to
manifest their dreams into reality.
Lulu’s books and media tools inspire children to believe
in themselves and unleash the beautiful power within. We partner artist of all
kinds with inner city schools and organizations who serve at risk youth with
project “Dream, Believe and
DO!” A mantra, a philosophy, and a movement, “Dream,
Believe and Do!” inspires school systems and organizations to manifest
a collective dream using the arts to make world a more beautiful place! The
Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School in New Bedford, MA is our
flagship school and is located in New Bedford, Ma.
Our
partners...
Our launching school... The Alfred J. Gomes School
Mayor Lang
A
special thanks to our dear friends from The Rhythm Room
for their support in our fundraising efforts!
Click the video at right
to view theThe
Rhythm Room's LIVE performance along with Gomes Elementary School
students held on April 9, 2010. All of the proceeds will benefit the Alfred J.
Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School
Click the arrow
below to watch the Rhythm Room's LIVE performance held on April 9,
2010!
About us:Lulu Belle
Books is on a mission to make the world a more beautiful place by
spreading Lulu's messages of love, hope and happiness. We believe that children
have important things to say and if we slow down long enough to really listen,
we will learn what is most important in life; to savor each moment, cherish
time spent with loved ones: dare to look at the world through the eyes of your
child because spending time with your child and seeing the world with their
beautiful vision is the best gift you can receive or give!
To
everyone who has sent us an email, bought a
book, stood in line at our book signings or simply read about the Pyne
family and shared kind words: A big "Thank You" goes out to each and
everyone of you. We want to express our gratitude for sharing your
stories with us and letting us know how Lulu has changed your life for the
better. We believe Lulu lives on in all people when they share her rose colored
vision. Words can’t express what this has meant to the Pyne family. Olivia
Lynn “Lulu” Pyne shines on in every smile.
About us: Lulu Belle
Books is on a mission to make the world a more beautiful place by
spreading Lulu's messages of love, hope and happiness. We believe that children
have important things to say and if we slow down long enough to really listen,
we will learn what is most important in life; to savor each moment, cherish
time spent with loved ones: dare to look at the world through the eyes of your
child because spending time with your child and seeing the world with their
beautiful vision is the best gift you can receive or give! 
www.lulubellebooks.com