A dream is a wish your heart makes... was Annette Funicello's motto. I know, because I read her autobiography in 7th grade and did a full report on her. While standing in front of the class explaining away this brilliant woman, no one knew who I was talking about. Annette was a long way away from Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears who were current mouseketeers at the time. Because I loved the show so much, and Disney had been such an underlying influence in my childhood... I loved watching the original Mickey Mouse Club on late night Disney, where I first discovered "Annette."
(Yes, there was a late night Disney.)
While I wasn't born in the time she was a teenage heart throb. I still loved her. She was beautiful... no wonder the boys fawned over her. She was every boy's teenage crush, and every girl wanted to be like her. She was the first Disney star to bare her "mid-drift," with permission from Mr. Walt Disney of course. She was what some like to call "America's Sweetheart." She was an original... MOUSEKETEER!
After more than a 20 year struggle with multiple sclerosis... she passed away on Monday, leaving her fans heartbroken. I hope that she has complete comfort now, as her life has been full of many uncomfortable moments. I, as most, I am sure will remember those dark eyes, and dark curly hair, and the way she just stared down the camera with a smile and gave her name, "ANNETTE!"
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