The other day I called Alex Usher. Alex is lovely lady and a wonderful autoharper. She’s instructed for me at Evart. We’ve missed her for a couple of years.

I hadn’t spoken to her for a long while, so I called her and we had a very pleasant chat.

The conversation drifted to talk of a mutual friend, Mary Lou Orthey, who passed away suddenly in 2006 after suffering a stroke. She was a beautiful, blue-eyed, charmer. Both Alex and I miss Mary Lou.

Alex’s voice grew husky as she shared something with me. She said, “I’ve never taken her address out of my address book. I just can’t do it.”

“Neither have I,” I said.

It wasn’t just a “me too” comment. I was being very honest. Mary Lou Orthey’s address is still listed in my address listing: 941-505-0823 (home) and 941-769-4439 (cell).

Each of us have ways of honoring those we love. I guess neither Alex nor I are ready to let go of Mary Lou.

Occasionally I’ll scan through by phone numbers and spot Mary Lou’s name. I am reminded of her sparkling blue eyes and humor. I can hear her say, “Hi, Hat Lady. How’s the dawg?”

She and I shared a fun evening in 2004 in Sarasota, FL. It was a night filled with girly conversation and friendship.

I won’t forget Mary Lou, and neither will Alex. Guess that’s the way it should be.