Today is September 26 and as I sit down to write, there is only one topic that fills my head, Ann Alger.  Today would have been her 68th birthday and we would have had cake, a really good cake.  She would have baked it herself, because she was the best cake baker and she wanted the best cake, which was just fine with the rest of us.  Mrs. Alger was a personality.  She was famous for lots of things:  singing, baking, stating her mind and loving the people around her were a few.

She could sing.  It came naturally and from her heart.  She shared her voice and her opinions about music readily.  I have always loved the Beatles, and she never appreciated the Fab Four, which was a point of contention between us.  But somehow the friendship endured.  

We did agree totally on her baking talent though.  She made about a million cupcakes and decorated each one for Brett’s wedding reception.  Those cupcakes not only looked fabulous, they tasted even better.  She worked hard for her friends.

Back when our kids were in elementary school History Fair was a big deal.  Our sons, Toshi and Brandon, were the same age and decided to do a project together.  Their topic was the Bill of Rights.  Well, I was pretty hands on.  I understood the process and jumped right in with the boys.  Mrs. Alger, on the other hand, was “If they want to do it, they can figure it out.”  She warned me from the get-go there would be no intervening on her part.  I could live with that.  So, there were a couple weeks of intense build-the-board, research-the-topic, practice-a-presentation…. you get the idea.  The boys were ready.  Mrs. Alger hadn’t shown up for a single session and reminded me often that it really wasn’t my project but the boys’.  Well, the Regional Fair in Pocatello arrived and so did Mrs. Alger…along with her protest sign.  “Down with History Fair, Too Much Parent Involvement.”  I could have smacked her.  She just grinned and walked around with her sign all day.  I grinned right back at her when the boys qualified for the state competition.  Friends don’t always agree!

So, Ann, you were one of a kind.  We caught Mormon Crickets together, had retro dinners, played Bubkas, grilled shish-ka-bobs, took the kids to LaaaVaaa (your pronunciation) and spent countless hours Living the Good Life.  I think of you often, and always on September 26.  I hope we get to have cupcakes together again!  And just for the record, I have enjoyed writing this little tribute to my friend.  It makes me feel good.  So, think about a loved one who has moved on, take a minute and write your thoughts down.  Writing about the Good Life, preserves the Good Life.  If you really want to do some preserving enter it in Memories on Family Search.  Come to the Family History Library and we’ll teach you how.  Really!