November 2004

DC's daughter lives on in book, scholarship

Even before she turned four, Olivia Lynn Pyne ‑‑ known to everyone as "LuLu" ‑‑ knew she wanted to be a chiropractor, just like her daddy. Sadly, LuLu didn't live to see that dream come true, but thanks to a children's book written by her mom, some other young person will have a chance to make the dream a reality.

LuLu was just four years old when she died in a tragic accident while she and her family enjoyed a day at the beach near Cape Cod, Mass. Her mother, Gretchan, father, Dr. Warren L. Pyne Jr., of Wareham, Mass., and twin nine‑year‑old brothers Drew and Dylon, endured nearly unbearable grief after the cheerful blonde‑haired girl died.

"The loss of Lulu was almost too much to bear," Gretchan told The Chiropractic Journal. "The loss of the beautiful little girl who loved people just a little more than she loved all of the earth."

Fortunately, their love for each other, and their strong faith, helped the family members carry on in the painful months following the heartbreaking accident. But it was LuLu herself who helped them find a new purpose in life and create something positive and lasting from the tragedy.

"Sweet Lulu Belle, as we called her, would light up a room," Gretchan said. "She would MAKE you smile whether you felt like it or not!"

Memories of the happy child, who seemed able to always see the world in bright colors, flooded back to Gretchan. One particularly vivid memory was of a grey, dull day that put the Iowa‑raised mother in an equally grey, dull mood. Despite Lulu's attempts to cheer her up, she felt as gloomy as the clouds that blocked the sun as they drove down the road. Lulu found a pair of rose colored glasses on the back seat of the car and begged her mother to put them on. She finally relented and put them on, seeing the world the way her daughter did ‑‑ and realized that her mood was self‑imposed and could be changed by her own actions.

The lesson was an important one for Gretchan, who realized it could help others as well and turned it into a children's story book, "Lulu's Rose Colored Glasses." The book, she said, "is her message to me and anyone who wants to find their happiness again. It is so simple and yet so profound."

With colorful artwork by a friend and former co‑worker, Ann Carrozza‑Remick, the family self‑published the book under their new imprint, Lulu Belle Books, and added a bonus: a pair of rose colored glasses attached to each copy. The books have not only sold well (it is into its third printing) but have generated a great deal of publicity for Lulu and her family. "Lulu's story is spreading across the country and across the world!" Gretchan said. "We have a movie offer and a book is being written about the life of Lulu ... Lulu took Boston by storm and Cape Cod, and we are on our way to New York City. Oprah even knows about Lulu."

The chiropractic community has been a big part of the book's success. In the weeks following their loss, Dr. Pyne's Palmer College fraternity brothers from around the state covered his practice and provided support to the grieving family. Knowing of Lulu's desire to follow in her father's footsteps, they also set up a scholarship fund in the girl's name. A portion of the proceeds from each book goes to fund the scholarship, which has grown to nearly $20,000 and is still climbing.

While visiting Iowa for Palmer's Homecoming 2004, they made appearances on local television and radio shows, and their story was featured in several area newspapers. "We sold over 400 books while on our visit, and we were the biggest signing the Borders ever had" Gretchan noted. "Lulu is touching hearts and changing lives. The energy that Lulu brought to the Palmer Homecoming experience was profound. During this time of adjustment at Palmer, Lulu's little story of hope was just what the doctors ordered!"

"Lulu's Rose Colored Glasses" can be purchased online at www.lulubellebooks.com, through Back Talk Systems, Palmer College Book Store or selected retailers.