This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, several of my Lincoln family colleagues, historians, authors, and historical presentors are gathered in Springfield, Illinois to celebrate the life of Mary Todd who married Abraham Lincoln and would go on to serve as First Lady of the United States, just as she predicted at age ten years.

Since I could not attend the ceremony at the Lincoln Family Tomb in Oakridge Cemetery, I was represented with a “pat” on the section that supposedly fronts Mrs. Lincoln’s enclosed coffin.

Today is also the book signing for Donna McCreary’s MARY LINCOLN DEMYSTIFIED: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ABRAHAM’S WIFE, which will take place at a bookstore across from The Old State Capitol Building. Donna has also authored

LINCOLN’S TABLE: A PRESIDENT’S CULINARY JOURNEY FROM CABIN TO COMPOSITION

FASHIONABLE FIRST LADY: THE VICTORIAN WARDROBE OF MARY LINCOLN,

THE KENTUCKY TODDS IN LEXINGTON CEMETERY

I am grateful to my wonderful friends and colleagues for their continuing passion in celebrating the life of Mary Lincoln: 13 December 1818 – 16 July 1882.