The news spread quickly through town. Although many had known of Bill Marchese's long battle with cancer, he had always fought back and been triumphant, almost defiant. It seemed impossible that we had lost him. Bill dealt with his trial with nobility and a quiet strength that impressed all who knew him. That God chose to take him up to join him during Easter week seemed appropriate to me, a sign of a first class ticket to heaven. Bill was a good man -- proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Bill walked the right path with character and faith. Bill made an impression on all who knew him, walking firm and straight, honorably and with faith. Bill was solid. Bill was a perfect example of what makes Los Ba&#241;os great, that quiet determination, calm sense of what is right, dedication to duty and love of giving. Bill made me think of Grandpa Day's old saying about how we were not here just to take up air. We are here to make a difference and Bill's life made a difference. He touched people. Bill and Gloria were the image of a perfect couple. When you walked into Angelo's Shoes downtown, they made you feel so welcome. They were real partners in life. My heart breaks for Gloria, who is one of the sweetest women on earth. It is one of the blessings and one of the curses of living in a small town, you get to know so many so well. We were blessed to have him among us.</p><p><b>It's official, it's spring</b></p><p>It came early this year, like Easter. It will be about 200 years before Easter comes as early again. Buds are bursting, lambs are nursing, hope is in the air, and that also means May Days are just around the corner, so get ready; the season of fun has begun! I am sure there are events coming up on your calendar, special days to be recognized, be sure and contact me so I can share them in my column.</p><p><b>You know its spring when...</b></p><p>Softball season begins, and it doesn't get any more fun than when it is played by our children, or in my case grandchildren. I look forward to the season every year. It is a tradition. For years I watched my granddaughter Amanda and now we go to watch our wonderful Jessica. March 25 was the first game of the season at the park on Seventh Street. Her team, the Thunderbirds, won 7-4 so we were all excited. It gave us a nice opportunity to speak to our friends Tom and Elaine Sullivan as well as a chance to meet Marci and Mark Fahey's new dog, Dakota. What a little blond beauty she is. But the main thing I want to say is a BIG THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteer to coach, keep score, manage, work the snack bar, sponsor, and help to make the softball system the greatest youth project possible. It not only provides a very healthy activity for our children but also teaches them important life skills.</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>April is a big month for my family. On the second, my granddaughter Samantha turns 17, which seems impossible. Even harder for me to believe is that my son will turn 44 on the eighth. Now how can he be older than I am?? </p><p>Happy belated birthday to our good friends of many years, Larry and Sharon Chandler. Their birthdays are only one week apart.</p><p>Belated happy birthday: March 21 to vivacious Diane Etcheverry. (Diane makes the best Jell-O salads) and to handsome Eddie Vierra.</p><p>Sweet and lovely Janelle Vierra celebrates her big day April 7. Charming Carmina Olivera turns 90 years young on April 7. </p><p>Happy birthday with love to Jamie Pineda. Hope this is a really good year for you honey.</p><p>Happy 17th birthday to Anthony Pineda with much love from his grandmother, Linda Allegretti.</p><p>Happy birthday to the owner of my dream car, Sue Cardoza.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells</b></p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to our friends Sue and Ron Smith, a great couple. Hope Ron's shoulder is feeling better.</p><p><b>Thank you to</b></p><p>Lou and Frank Vierra for inviting us to join their family for a great Easter barbecue. Ron and I sure ate our fill Easter between having Easter Brunch at Pea Soup Andersons with Lara and her fianc&#233; Bryan Olson, and Mary and Don Glenn, and then on to Lou's.</p><p>While you will hear more than you want to know about 'the wedding' in my next column, I have to put in a very special thank you to Elaine Sullivan for her making the beautiful friars robe for the ceremony. Elaine did a remarkable job and it was just perfect. </p><p><b>I am a mommy, so...</b></p><p>Us mommy's are all the same. Our children never really grow up in our hearts' eyes. From the time we know we are expecting, we talk to them, love them. Then that first time we hold them, its like fireworks exploding. For most mothers, it is a lifelong love affair. We live to see our children happy and feel their every pain ten-fold. My fingers type this with anticipation as my youngest, Lara McPherson, will be getting married this weekend (by the time you read this that will be history). Lara is a remarkable girl who has done a lot of good for Los Ba&#241;os as a volunteer, as well as being a brilliant business woman, wonderful mother, sister, and of course, daughter. I adore her, as my readers well know. Lara has had her own trials, as we all do, and this time in the sun is long past due. I know life is not like a set of accounting books, with neat little ledgers of debits and credits. Life just isn't neat and all too often, life is not fair. As a parent that is a painful reality, as we watch them grow up. So, we feel all the more exuberant when the good does come their way. Lara and Bryan became engaged last year at the Renaissance Fair, where they had one of their first dates two years previous. They have grown together in faith as swell as love, making volunteering and church a part of their life. They have reached out to each other's families and brought them together, showing there is always room for more loved ones in your life. I feel ill equipped to properly convey my well wishes to them both. I pray that this new chapter in their lives will be filled with joy and peace, beauty and meaning, strength and laughter. I wish them both the magic I feel in my marriage to Ron, that sense of having someone who is always there for you and with you. So, forgive me, my readers, for dedicating this column to my little girl, with much love from her mommy. I pray that in her life there will always be more joy than sorrow, as I wish for all of you readers. So, until next time, when I will be a new mother-in-law, may all your news be good news.