Working on a reboot

In the last 5 years of my life I have lost both my parents and biggest supporters. It has made the last year the hardest as I have had to navigate life without both my mom and dad. I miss them daily but find ways to keep them alive in my daily life. When my dad passed away in 2020 I had to go through his belongings and I discovered he had a passion for Peanuts. Charlie Brown and Snoopy. His love for them was as intense as my own for Rainbow Brite.

Before my dad passed away in October of 2020 he had mailed me a letter. In it he wrote on the back of some custom printed stationary the following:

“I am sending this to you because I never want you to stop doing things like this. I love it as I love you my daughter”

In August of 2024 I also lost my mother. Both deaths were quick. Both my parents had preexisting conditions that kept them from living longer. I miss them both daily.

Any time I see anything Peanuts (for dad) or Betty Boop (for mom) I say hello. “Hi mom” or “hi dad” to myself. 

It has been a full year without them both and I’m learning to move on and try to bring more Rainbow Brite knowledge to the internet.

Last year I completely the WordPress transfer of moving all my older content to the newest file manager. But I am not ready to continue updating. My real life and health has been a mess and I am concentrating on my health. I look forward to the day I can update more frequently and have fun again. Until then, keep a happy thought in you heart and a Rainbow in your sky. 

7 years later…

Wait…. Did I read that right? 7 years?

Ok. Something to say: life is hard.

My lack of updates and activity is not without merit. In the years since my last post the following occurred:

I had surgery

Lost my job

Fought for disability 

A pandemic 

My dad died

My mom went blind

And I moved twice.

All through this I have also battled depression and my own physical limitations and health.

I have multiple chronic illnesses: hives (which I assume is caused by an unknown autoimmune disease) degenerative disc disease in my lower lumbar and now my upper back as well as chronic pain and I’m still here and alive.

I did NOT get COVID (yet) and am trying my best to do what I can with what I have.

I updated instagram most often, sharing to twitter (x) and facebook.

Until I can find a better place soon updates will be slow. I have been so wrapped in taking care of my family I usually forget to take care of myself. But I am making strides to improve myself and look forward to Rainbow Brite’s 40th anniversary celebration soon! 

Look for products from The Loyal Subjects as well as from Hallmark in major stores soon this year (2024).

I am also trying to get BriteCast up and running again, so don’t give up on me!

Thanks for the support!

Rainbow Brite, My Dad and Me

Me & Dad 1981

Hello Color Kids,

Me & Dad 1982

This is going to be a very personal entry regarding Rainbow Brite and my history with her. One that I wanted to share with you.

In recent weeks I've been dealing with a family emergency. My dad has been in the hospital with a heart condition and I went to Tennessee to be with him. This was hard because this was the week before the new show on Feeln was coming out. However during this time I was drawn more to the original Rainbow Brite then I had been before.

Me & Dad 1985

You see, my family has supported my Rainbow Brite fandom since I was small, but my dad has a very special part in all that. It was my dad who bought me my Rainbow Brite doll for my 5th birthday. It was my dad who put together my Rainbow Brite Bike and gave it to me. It was my dad who bought me my Rainbow Brite costume when I told him I wanted to be her for Halloween in 1985. For all his flaws he has moments where he shines.

My dad loves to quote me as a child. "Once I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up and ya said 'Nope daddy, I know I've got it made. I'm not going to grow up.' and that tickled me to no end." I guess if you consider my current interests are the same as they were as a child, I kept my word.

Me & Dad 2006

Anyway, as absent as some parents can be, even after divorces, separations, etc... and as much as my dad can currently drive me crazy, push my buttons and every level in between I also remember that he supports me, loves me, and helped make me the person I am. He says I'm his Rainbow Brite, but I know I wouldn't have what I do if it wasn't for him and my mother being such loving people to their little color kid and I'm thankful for them both.

Me & Dad 2014

Anyway, I wanted to share that with you.
Have a Rainbow Day!
Renee