Best girl scout troop co-leader ever
Leading a troop of middle-school Girl Scouts has its highs and lows. I am so grateful for the experience of co-leading with Alison. She was always present, always mindful, and always *there.* When things got troublesome (cookies, drama both girl- and adult-initiated, lame events, gross campsite bathrooms, wet firewood, more cookies) and when they were great (successful crafts, happy girls, fun road trips, games and activities, and sometimes even cookies) I could count on her to either pick up the slack or just let it go, whatever made the most sense in the moment. Alison was able to look at a complex, emotional situation and decide on a reasonable way forward. But no matter what, she always expressed empathy and respect for the girls. I really enjoyed working with her.
The rational one
Although the sibs might argue with me, I always think of Alison as the logical one of the bunch. She had a way of viewing all sides of a situation and weighing in (strongly) but kindly.
Comfortable i her own skin
I have a strong memory of looking out my bedroom window in our Atlanta house and seeing Alison, dressed like a Gypsy playing and singing looking very content and self sufficient. Fast forward twenty years and I am looking out the window of my house seeing my daughter Shannon in costume singing and playing and looking just like Alison.
That's not fair.
As the youngest of our (then) five children Alison was often teased by her older siblings. Her reaction was always the same:"That's not fair." Later I realized it was a theme in her life. She worked at making the world a place that was just. She made a habit of treating everyone fairly.
