Dear Dr. Minto,

I wish you knew how many students you’ve impacted, but if the truth is told, no one could fully grasp that. After nearly 30 years of teaching at Cairn, the number is too high to count. 

I wish you knew how many students and fellow members of the faculty and staff came to mourn you, and how beautiful the memorial service was. I wish you knew how Dr. Kuchinsky-Smith sang in your honor and how precious your family members’ testimonies were. 

I wish you knew everyone’s favorite memories of you. I wish you knew that I will miss your motherly scoldings when you knew I could do better on an assignment. I wish you knew how fondly I look back on the times you stood up for me when I was not getting anywhere. I wish you knew that you were a woman everyone wanted on their side, because you were a force to be reckoned with.

I wish you did not have to fight the monster named Cancer, but I am thankful for your strength. I wish you did not have to go so soon, but I am glad you are no longer in pain. You did, in fact, go to Israel before the group you planned to visit with.