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Bella English's article about Lulu in the May 2006 issue of Ladies Home Journal! Click here to read! ABC News Original Report -
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Gretchan with Jack Canfield co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: and other titles as well as motivational speaker.
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"Dream Believe and Do: I Am the Rainbow and So Are You"
documentary courtesy of New Bedford Cable Access Network.

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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.

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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!


The Lulu Foundation
Shop Online!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.
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