Bettie Page remains a beautiful and positive influence on me.

Many people have pointed out how much I resemble her. I have to say that it was wonderful to discover her in a sea of images to which I could never relate. When I found her it was like receiving postcards from my fantasy self, inspiring me to be more, enjoy more, try more, and live.

Yesterday I turned 30 and yesterday Bettie passed away. I know that doesn't 'mean' anything but it does feel a little poignant for me on a personal level. Now every year on my birthday I will give her some extra thought.

The strange thing is that my mother bought me a beautiful Bettie zippo lighter as a present. She had it engraved well in advance with my name, and the date. She wasn't to know how significant that date would be in the story of the woman whose image graces the lighter. Although I only believe this is coincidence, it does make me feel a bit 'connected', for want of a better word.

Bettie was not just the girl of many dreams, she was a real person - an elderly lady with a family and friends. They will be the ones who truly miss her and my thoughts go to them as well.

I posted up my Bettie tribute shot today as my default image, because it was a lovingly made tribute from me, Lily White and Laurence Winram. I hope she would have approved.

This is the closing chapter in the life story of Bettie, but her legend will live on and people like me will insure that future generations fall in love with her too.
Bye bye Bettie and bless you for being so lovely. You inspired me to have much more fun and it worked.