Elizabeth

Today after church I was handed a piece of paper from the Visiting Teaching coordinator listing changes to my visiting teaching route.  The thing that jumped out at me right away, was the fact that Elizabeth -- my visiting teaching partner -- would no longer be my partner.  I have to say, I was definitely saddened.

About three years ago when Elizabeth and I were first assigned to be partners, we really didn't know each other.  Considering we were approximately the same age, our children were similar ages, and we had both been active members of the same ward (congregation) for over 10 years, it seemed kind of odd that our paths had never crossed.  But the past three years have changed all that, and we have developed a great friendship.

When I saw Elizabeth on my way home from church, I informed her about the change, and felt a surge of deep emotion when I saw her eyes begin to tear up.  This was difficult news for each of us -- we really had become good friends because of this assignment.

I have come to appreciate and love her for the many beautiful qualities she has.  She is a selfless, nurturing, intelligent woman whom I truly admire, and hope to be able to emulate some day.

• She held regular "school" with her grandchildren by Skype for years, helping out with their home-schooling.  And now that they have moved close by, she goes to their home to help her daughter teach them.
• She tends these same grandchildren, as well as her son's children fairly often, and never with a complaint.
• She tutored one of her sons throughout his post-secondary education until he received his Business degree.  She once told me that she had done so much work, and had learned so much, that she felt like she should also be receiving the degree. 
• Once while visiting teaching one of our assigned sisters, we learned of a difficult trial she was experiencing.  Elizabeth jumped up from where she was sitting to go sit beside the woman and give her a hug.  You could tell Elizabeth felt true compassion for her.  She even said that if it wasn't so weird, she would make the woman sit on her lap, so she could rock her like a small child who needs comforting.
• Elizabeth has taken care of a terminally sick cousin for years.  I know that this is physically and mentally exhausting for her, but she continues to serve her as best she can.  Again, it is without complaint.
• She loves politics and seems to have a real grasp of the many issues throughout the world.  When Mitt Romney and Barack Obama were running for President, she was especially passionate.  It was fun to watch her discussions with one of the other women we visited who also knew a lot about the election.  I, on the other hand, know very little about politics, so I had to be content with being an observer in these conversations.
• She read the book "The Happiness Project" and was so inspired by it, that she wanted to form her own club based on the chapters of the book.  I have loved being part of this group and the fun we have had going for lunch and doing things that make us happy.

Luckily this kind of fun doesn't have to end just because we are no longer visiting teaching partners.  

But I do have to say that I'll be jealous of the next person who gets to be her partner.

Dixie