Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Pixie

Millie was strong, even domineering from time to time, but definitely a realist. Louise was alluring, maybe even a seductress, yet also a realist. Dolly, on the other hand, lived a life of make believe. One could speculate that this was her coping mechanism. She endured a multitude of hardships. Growing up Millie, whom Dolly always called “Mother,” shielded Dolly from the harsh realities of life. Perhaps Mother was overly protective of the little girl she had always dreamed of having. She would travel to the ends of the earth and back for her. Throughout Dolly’s lifetime, Mother applauded her for doing well and picked up the shattered pieces when tragedies struck. Nothing or no one would tarnish her perfect porcelain Dolly.

Mother paraded her around town in pin curls and lacey pinafores. She never missed the opportunity to promote her many gifts. She took great pride in regaling Dolly’s talents for singing and dancing. Mother was her biggest fan, her rock and most likely the source of her frustrations. Dolly reciprocated these feelings even though she may have taken Mother for granted. Mother required very little from Dolly. It must have caused Mother an inkling of discomfort to realize that Dolly so much resembled her birth mother, Louise.

Dolly did not have the amazing natural beauty of Louise but they shared the same spirit. Dolly was playful, flirtatious, vivacious. She was like a schoolgirl even into late adulthood. Her laughter was infectious to all that were fortunate enough to cross her path. She never met a stranger and everyone loved being in her company. Everywhere we went someone most assuredly recognized her, rushed to her and exclaimed “Dolly!!” Inevitably, after an ardent fan departed, Dolly would turn to her companion, giggle and say, “I have no idea who that was!”

Even into late adulthood she was like a schoolgirl. She wasn’t irresponsible, actually. She never really had the opportunity to be responsible. Mother wouldn’t allow her the freedom to make many mistakes. But Dolly reveled in knowing that Mother would always be there for her. If Millie was the quintessential Earth Mother, then Dolly was her polar opposite.

I am convinced that I was Nanny’s (as I referred to Dolly) best friend. I was more of an adult as a child and she was more like a child as an adult. We were practically the same age, with the same passions. Every weekend we had our very own slumber party, staying up until the wee hours of the night watching television. During the summer, we would venture out to the drive-in movies. We would be awaked by an attendant knocking on the car window, signaling that the movie had ended and it was time for our adventure to end. These are some of the fondest moments of my entire life.

At a young age, Dolly’s body betrayed her. Before I was born she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Her body had been ravaged by disease and the effects were obvious. But that was just the vessel she was destined to endure. The disease never dampened her spirit. She remained the pixie she had been in childhood. She loved to live. She loved to laugh. She loved to love and be loved. And loved she will always be, by her biggest fan and best friend!