Letter from the Editor

This issue of the magazine is near and dear to me. I am honored to share with you three articles that spotlight some special people that have passed from this mortal life to continue their influence and great work on the other side: Dr. Craig Booth, Debbie Zockoll, and Richard Harder. Many of you have been blessed in one way or another by the way they lived their lives, by their larger-than-life personalities, and by their acts of kindness, generosity, and service.

Reflecting on what they have done made me ponder about others who have impacted my life. Those that come to mind first are my family members and close friends. But there are many outside that circle who have crossed my path and guided me along my journey. One of them was Dixie Andrus, an extraordinary individual who came to my rescue when I needed it most.

The summer before my fifth grade year, my family and I moved from Sandy, Utah, to St. George. I had been going through some serious health issues and had been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis along with some other auto-immune disorders. One of the reasons for our move was to help control the painful symptoms that often flared up with the colder weather and humidity in northern Utah.

Mentally and physically, I was a wreck. Because of the “disease,” I felt worthless and didn’t have much, if any, self-esteem. I believed I was just some freak kid that had trouble holding a pencil and sitting cross-legged for long periods of time. When I had a flare-up, my hands would swell like they had been run over by a truck. I can remember teachers singling me out in front of other classmates because they thought I was faking my illness. I hated going to school and wished I would die.

That all changed when I started fifth grade in Mrs. Dixie Andrus’s class. Through some unknown super power of hers, she made me feel good about myself. I began to like who I was and no longer felt like something was wrong with me. The warmer weather helped my symptoms, but I now realize that much of my healing was a direct result of her ability to change the way I thought about myself. She genuinely cared about me, and her compassion literally saved me. I have tried to live my life by emulating her example.

One person can make a difference; one person has the ability to change a generation. I believe Dixie Andrus is one who has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those around her and in the community. I also know that those who are remembered in this issue have made a difference in this world. They will be missed and will not be forgotten.

Brendan Dalley Brendan Dalley Editor Editor