After a few paragraphs into reading, I remembered this girl from 5th grade who sat behind me, even her name. She was not pretty, had buck teeth (which could have been fixed), and I knew she was from a poor family, too. But she was very smart and also kind. I was having trouble understanding division and got very frustrated. She very nicely offered to help - and I was desperate by then. She was so kind about it and also so clear in the instructions. I remember the quality of her voice - soft, nice. But I don't remember seeing her at lunch or on the playground. She lived in a bubble because of her looks. It made me sad then, especially after she helped me so generously. But it makes me even sadder now that she wasn't accepted then.

I finally watched the video. Thank you for writing this story, Tessa, and for your compassion. Yes, the woman in the video became real and not at all ugly. Just human.