Christine French Cully, my Guiding Light at Highlights
Day 26, Year 13 in Glasshalfull
Yesterday, the children’s writers community said goodbye to an amazing woman—Christine French Cully. I was blessed to meet her a few years after she took the helm of Highlights magazine.
I never had a subscription to Highlights as a kid, but I remember reading it in doctors’ and dentists’ offices. I could always count on seeing that printed island of stability in the waiting room as I grew up.
I usually had time to check out “Goofus and Gallant” or “Dear Highlights” letters to the editor before the medical professional called me to the back. I never dreamed that one day the Highlights Editor-in-Chief would become my friend and advise me about which shoes to pack for my very first Highlights event.
In the “old” days, those attending the Highlights for Children summer workshop in Chautauqua, New York were paired with mentors. I was blown away and totally intimidated to learn that Chris was mine. Until she contacted me and I discovered she was a regular person who understood about being nervous and afraid.
That week at Chautauqua is a blur of wonderful to me now. But moments there with Chris remain crystal clear. Like when she greeted me that first day as if we’d known each other forever, finding commonalities, treating me like I actually belonged there with all the editors, authors, illustrators and literary professionals who loved creating for kids.
Later in the week, I attended one of her sessions where she talked about the Highlights submission process, encouraging us all to write what we knew. I’ve heard that advice many times since, but when Chris said it, her words touched me, gave me permission and her blessing to write from the heart, always. That advice resulted in several of my items being published in Highlights including two short stories “An Earful” and “Puppy Love” which are both still available as audio books for children to enjoy today. Because of Chris.
That last night at Chautauqua, we had to dress more formally for the evening’s dinner and farm-wife me was a wreck. But Chris put me at ease and made me feel beautiful with her perfect words. “You clean up well, Kansas!”
Over the years, when I returned for other Highlights workshops, Chris took time out of her busy schedule to catch up over lunch or dinner. We kept in touch via emails, letters, and cards. So, I’ll end this tribute to my friend in a way I know she would enjoy, with a handwritten note.
Thank you, Chris for the privilege and honor of knowing you. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all, and thank you for all you did for the children of this world.
Love,
Dale
To honor Chris, please join me in:
contributing to the Christine French Cully Love of Reading Fund.
sending handwritten notes or messages of encouragement to others.
gifting her book Dear Highlights, What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids to the parents, grandparents, and teachers in your lives.