middle child

Not only was Dorothy -- or Dodie, or Dottie -- the middle child in a family of strong, tall characters, she was the shortest one of all. Certainly she had to learn to look out for herself early on, to be able to handle those big brothers who loved to tease and bother her.

But she also realized that doing things for others built solid social capital. As long as she has lived, she has never let go of the habit of reaching out to friends and strangers alike with a warm, genuine smile and a quick comment.

Not surprisingly, Dodie also loved the spotlight and found ways to focus it on her whenever she could, although she always felt a little less able than those around her. In truth, there was nothing at all wrong with her intellect. She was perceptive, very intuitive, and hard to fool, with a steel trap memory.

I love this photo, taken when she was seven. That direct gaze, the humor playing around her mouth, her lustrous dark hair, and sturdy little body make me think of a doll with a grown-up face. She more resembled her mother's side of the family, the Youngs, of German heritage.

We used this beautiful, hand-tinted portrait for her 90th birthday invitation. Dodie loved it.