...absent but not forgotten

I've been thinking about a friend today.......I'm not sure "friend" is the right word.........a woman in our little town that I greatly admire. She "graduated" a week ago and I find I'm still sad that I'm not going to see her at the grocery store or the beauty salon. Kay was a teenager in World War II Berlin......survived the Allied attacks, the shortage of food, and the invading armies--in East Berlin. Amazing story! Her daughter wrote a book, "We Were Not Alone"........sold through Deseret Book. Kay shared her faith promoting experiences and testimony whenever asked. I don't know what brought her to our town, but shortly after arriving her husband died, leaving her to provide for her children--five, I think. Through it all her testimony never waivered. She made me think that every day was a gift. Her laugh was contagious and made her eyes sparkle. She would probably be surprised to know that she has influenced my life as she has--that I think of her in this way.........without guile, presumption or self-importance.........she lived quietly and was always kind and willing--thinking of others. One Christmas when she and her children received two turkeys, she gathered them around her, explained they couldn't use and didn't need two whole turkeys, and asked them to help her decide who they could share with!!..........she is the kind of woman I want to become. I want all of you to know her too. I give her high marks..........in my book, she graduated with high honors!!