I write this to honor my mother (Adeline Biedermann) for her 80th birthday (Oct. 25, 2010); whose lives I have watched her touch. I know that behind every one person there have been 10.

1. Lois M., LaVonne H. and neighbors and ladies from the Oregon Street Birthday Club. What can I say? Life.

2. LaVonne T. from Ascension Lutheran Church, whose husband had to be on a dialysis machine, came over to have her and her children’s hair cut.

3. Patty K. was mentally challenged and came over to listen to my mom’s records on the hi-fi, especially the song “Summer Place.” She shared a love for music like my mom.

4. Karen was slightly mentally challenged, rode her bike over, and we rode our bicycles to the public swimming pool to swim. She was our friend and enjoyed swimming and riding bicycles also.

5. Audrey E. came over to have her clothes altered when fighting cancer.

6. Harry and Abby K. (next-door neighbors), my mom cut Abby’s hair and the couples would play cards together on weekend evenings.

7. Elmier was new to the United States, got married and had a daughter.

8. Cindy B. was a co-worker from the children’s day care my mother worked at and was not from Albert Lea, so she did not have family in Albert Lea. She became part of our family.

My mother has a compassionate heart and enjoys helping people. She genuinely does not judge people and makes them feel at ease. She has a way of lessening their burden in transition or in their life circumstances. Thank you, Mom.

Anita Biedermann

Sacramento, Calif.