Before my husband and I visited Anchorage, Alaska a few years ago we had this letter from Cheryl Hibbert who grew up next door to us here on Trenton Street in Seattle. In 1989 we had regained contact with her after she saw us on the Oprah Show and congratulated us by letter. She now was writing us in anticipation of greeting us again in person.

"If I had one wish, it would be that every person could feel the power and peace found in spending time with pods of whales breeching up out of the ocean depth, a sea otter floating leisurely on its back eating a tender clam, or a mother with a pup upon her belly. See the salmon jumping in the bay fighting to find their way home to spawn, the birds too numerous to count. There are cormorants, puffins, the mighty eagle, hummingbirds in agitation when we get too close to their young, bears - five we saw - two brown three black, magnificent animals. It is extremely humbling to see such powerful beings, ambling across the massive wilderness that stretches as far as the eye can see on mountains of pure majesty. If every human could live this for just a day, perhaps we could finally know real peace.

"As for the freedoms our grandchildren have lost, those in our country who cannot experience the vastness of Alaska, I can not bear to think. They have no idea. It breaks my heart. Ah, but I cannot close on such a sad note, the day is dawning, skies are clear and the treetops are bathed in sunshine.

"I need to mow the lawn again today, my beautiful lawn. Even Norman would be impressed. As I recall, Norman kept the nicest yard in the neighborhood, careful to water in the evenings so the lawn didn't burn in the hot sun. He taught me that. Every time I've ever watered my lawn I have thought of him. I am resisting the urge to go mow right now. It is 5:45 a.m. Monday morning. I suspect the neighbors would not appreciate a lawn mower yet.

"Looking forward to your visit. Goodbye now.

"Love, Cheryl"

It is a great feeling to realize that we oldsters, Norman and I, had such an impact on our young friend. She wouldn't recognize Norman's lawn which now lies dormant in the summer because we are saving water these days. But it gives us a lift when we get up feeling crotchety to envision our evening out at Karaoke in Anchorage where Cheryl and her sister Charlene listened to this old "lady" sing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and then presented us with the CD they ordered. They steered us to a fabulous Bed and Breakfast, facilitated our stunning train trip to Seward amid glaciers and roaming moose. Later, Cheryl told us about the day she didn't have to go to work because a moose was in her driveway blocking her car. Moose have the right of way in Anchorage you know.

I was interviewed in Seward by a newspaper reporter asking about my first book You're Damn Right I Wear Purple: Color Me Feminist. On Sunday in Anchorage I spoke at the book sharing service at church. Later we bought hand crafted Eskimo pins at the Sunday Market before leaving for Seattle.

Waving goodbye at curbside, we entered the Anchorage airport to be greeted by the huge mounted polar bear marking our final moments in Alaska with our former neighbors. With e-mail communication, we need never be separated from our young friends again.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer and speaker who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 935-8663.