Doodle Me was, and is, a reflection of the author. She was first drawn in 1977 from a hospital bed after one of many beatings from a bully. She is the classic example of what the friendless and odd will do to survive. As time has moved on, she has become less a savior and more a creative voice. But she has always been there. It is t at all an exaggeration to say that without this doodle, I would never have reached the age of 55, never have spent 20 years teaching special education, and never gotten the chance to be happy. I share her with the hope that others out there from ages 15 to 80 will see in her the truth that things can be survived. Loneliness and hopelessness can pass in the company of a supportive friend, and Doodle was mine.