The hero who ate bagels 2 at a time!

This is a note I just sent to Angel, 1 of Ada's twin daughters.  And I'd like to share it. The words spoken about Ada at her memorial have effected me and made me think about the person I am.

Angel,

I knew Ada from the time she was pregnant with you and your sister. I don't think you knew or even heard of me, as my connection with Ada was tenuous. I knew your father from the time I worked at the Department of Labor. Jack was one of my favorite customers at my business. This is where I met Ada. I had a vending stand on the corner by Juneau Drug. It was called Mickey's Bagel Bistro. In the summer of '83, (I may be off a year), Ada would come every morning and get 2 onion bagels with cream cheese. I was always very generous with the cream cheese. Lief Saya would get a bagel with a thick 2 – 3 inch load of the stuff. Other customers told me that instead of getting cream cheese at the store, they'd get a bagel with cream cheese, take it home and scrape most it off and have enough for at least a week. Leif would eat every bit of his. Ada was obviously pregnant, and I'd tease her about what the result would be from eating 2 bagels every day. And that is exactly what happened; she had twins!

Since then I have told that story so many times about the women who had 2 bagels everyday, and had twins, that all of Juneau and then some surely has heard it.

I was going to tell that story at her memorial, but the words of you and your sister were so powerful, it made my story seem trite to me. The Ada you knew was different then the one I knew. She never said much, but she was always friendly and had this mysterious little smile. I wish I had known her better. You are fortunate to have had a mother like her.

Best wishes on your journey through life.

Mickey

AKA the Bagel Man or Mickey's Bagels.

PS/Please feel free to share this with your sister or anyone else you would like to. Ada was a wonderful person and a hero!