"Dundies, will you please be still so I can take your picture!
You're becoming very popular and I want to show you off!"

I have been told by an expert that the cut of a diamond greatly affects the inherent brilliance and fire in that diamond and its resulting value. Cutting a diamond too deep prohibits light from passing through it properly producing a dark stone rather than a brilliant, fiery gem. Cutting the diamond too shallow produces a fish-eye effect with a dark spot in the middle of the diamond. Regardless, then, of the initial value of the diamond, if the cut is off, the diamond is a loss.

I have met exceptionally few people in my life who sparkle with quiet fire and brilliance of a perfectly cut diamond. Courtney is one of those rare gems. Having dealt with her own grave losses, she has been cut deep, but not so deeply as to result in a repelling personal darkness. On the contrary, her natural, inherent sparkle and fire reached greater and greater levels of brilliance with each painful cut. And, like the beauty of a perfectly cut diamond, her own inner beauty cannot help but be noticed; cannot help but be admired.

Today as Courtney oversees the production and distribution of the little jewels in her family of gems - all those Dundy Buddy Dolls - she shines even brighter and, in turn, she causes others to shine as well. I have been blessed and privileged to play even a small role in encouraging Courtney to go for her dream. Lifeline Chaplaincy, Inc. has been blessed to have her share her dream and generosity with others through it. In a world where many people are cut too deeply to shine anymore, Courtney and Dundy put light back in their lives and a spark of hope in their hearts. Thanks for letting Lifeline and me be a part of that.

Thank you Courtney. Take Dundy around the world. He deserves the trip and there are many people out there who need to meet him.

Barry Curtis
Former Director of Operations for Lifeline Chaplaincy, Inc.

Who is Lifeline Chaplaincy?

Lifeline Chaplaincy has been serving the needs of the critically ill in Houston and the Texas Medical Center since 1983. In June 2005 they expanded their operation to the Dallas area to serve patients at Baylor Medical Center, Children's Medical Center and Parkland Hospital. They are dedicated to providing compassionate support to the seriously ill, their families and caregivers, and to being an educational resource for crisis ministry. The staff at Lifeline Chaplaincy opened the doors for me to get into the Texas Medical Center. I am now able to give my Dundies away to patients by way of a respected and well-known chaplaincy dedicated to reaching out to those in need throughout the medical center. Read the section of this web site called "The Story" for more details. I will always be grateful to Barry Curtis for his kindness and giving me direction on how to get my Dundies into the hands of those who need encouragement the most.

Courtney has donated hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of Dundies to Lifeline Chaplaincy. It "Just So Happens", this is her calling!