"4-H" and Bert Forever in our Hearts

I was quite a tomboy growing up. I hear my mom had to make sure I did not wear stripes and checks together - even when I was in high school. But I got a REAL break when I met our 4-H leader, Alberta Hansen. Her daughter, Laurie, and I happened to be best friends so it was especially sweet to spend a LOT of time at their farm and in the company of this remarkable lady. She not only taught me to sew pretty well, but also refinish furniture, bake bread, make a pie crust (yuck), and best of all, show my amazing horse, Misty, at all kinds of equestrian events. In her later years, Bert lived at Spring Valley and I was able to visit her often as my folks were there too. Bert once told me a story about an optimistic lady who lost all her hair but three long strands on her head. She said, "Oh goody! Now I can easily braid them!"  When she was down to two hairs, she said, "Yay! Now I can wear pig tails!" Down to one hair, she remarked, "Ahhhh. A ponytail at last!"  And finally with no hair at all, she proclaimed, "Good! Now I don't have to mess with my hair!" This was Bert. I loved her dearly and she left this world this week. The good thing is, she left a daughter behind who is probably going to turn out exactly like her mother with an eternal hope, optimism, and strength to get her through ANYTHING. Here is Bert below with me and dear friends, Jean and Joy. We were three of her "4-H followers" right to the end.  We love you, Alberta Hansen.