As I’m sure you have also found, real beauty and attractiveness is shown by what’s on the inside – so all of those seemingly “good looking” guys/girls that were so mean to me during my early teen years, may have, at the time, been fooled into believing they had “it”, and that’s all that was important in life - their looks, which seemed to bring the attention of others, lots of dates, more opportunities for friendships and popularity, etc. – but sadly they were all really missing something much more important – the opportunity to develop a beauty on the inside too (usually they didn’t ever bother to show much respect, humbleness and compassion for others, as they were used to getting what they want/getting by on their looks). So in reality, they were filled with a pride and selfishness that made them extremely ugly.

You, on the other hand, really did have both (as a female in one of your classes I feel personal credibility to attest to this!). Not only were you extremely attractive physically, but you were friendly when others weren’t – kind when others would openly make cruel remarks – and showed compassion that kind of gave me hope at the time –

I’ve never forgotten how during a final class in grade 10, (I was new at Leacock - had only been there the one term at the time) I took a chance and passed around my autograph book (as others had brought theirs in so I thought I’d do the same as it would have been some sort of major “coup” to get a boy to sign it!) – anyways, you readily wrote in it for me right away – I still remember what you wrote – “Have a good summer, if you know what I mean!” – honestly being only 15 years old I had NO IDEA what that meant, but, I will tell you, I felt like I had just found a piece of rare gold treasure, and the WOW effect you had on my day – my month – dare I say my term, was priceless.

So I just wanted to share that with you, as often we go through life and never really know the HUGE effect a small act of kindness, so selflessly given, can still have on someone 31 YEARS LATER. Yes, thankfully the “external” ugly duckling to beautiful swan metamorphosis was somewhat more evident by the age of 19, but I thank God that in going through kind of a rough childhood, I was able to develop a humbleness and a love that God, by his grace, planted in my heart for others – and you may or may not know it John, but beyond being blessed at a young age with very handsome looks, I can tell you that he gave you the same gift inside – a true radiating attractiveness, that possibly only those deserving of it will truly recognize and cherish – because as I mentioned before, it is extremely rare to find such beauty in the human heart. Be blessed and know what God has placed in your heart to share with others!