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A Thank You Note

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For the past two years, I have been the assigned visiting teacher to a woman in the ward named Marcia Cobb.  She is working through some abuse issues from her childhood, so if nothing else, I have been able to offer an understanding ear to the emotional turmoil she is feeling.  I've gone walking with her, I've taken her to therapy appointments (after she tore her ACL), I've taken her to the temple, and gone out to lunch with her.  Her oldest daughter, Morgan, is headed off to the Michigan School of Engineering in the Fall--that alone says so much about her (she was waitlisted for MIT).  She is incredibly smart, motivated and determined.  I mean, a WOMAN getting into the Michigan Engineering School?  She reminds me of myself when I was her age.  She's on the quiet side, but she's incredibly smart....and not always understood amongst our outgoing, extroverted, popular Young Women.  I can often feel that she just doesn't "get it" when the girls are just goofing around, but if someone tries to have a one-on-one conversation with her, she's golden.

When I got her graduation announcement in the mail, I felt proud of where she is headed, but sad when I saw her rather aged face in the photo.  She's all in for engineering, and makeup and hair and everything else that goes along with being a girl isn't really a priority for her.  She looked more like a 40-year-old woman...and yet I love her dearly.  So I sent her some money.

Well, for all the graduation announcements we received this year, and for all the money I sent out, I only received a thank you note from Morgan, and through her short words, I could feel the honestly and sincerity of what she was saying:

Dear Sister Kennedy,

 Thank you so much for the card, your wonderful advice, & the money you sent me.  You have no idea how much you have helped me and my family the past couple of years.  Thank you for always being so caring, helpful, & understanding. I truly appreciate all that you do.

 Love,  Morgan

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