Sept. 25, 2019

Dear Rutha,

There… I did it. I called you by your first name. As your former student, that is a big leap. When I used to run into you on campus at BSU, you used to tell me not to call you Mrs. Mims. I’m sure you understand that my reluctance to call you Rutha (and the reluctance of many of my classmates, I'm sure) is borne out of our profound respect and gratitude to you, and, out of love. 

               I have put off this letter for far too long, and I ask you to forgive me for that. I have started and stopped several times, but a recent retreat director challenged me… and I still hesitated. I don’t know why. Then my wife instructed me that it was time. So here I am.

               I was a student in your junior American Literature class in 1982, and you were one of those few teachers whom I would consider critical in my formation. Mountain Home High School was an incredible space and an incredible gift to me. I loved the entire English staff. You were all amazing teachers, but you personally have had such a tremendous impact on me. You were one of the few teachers who expected more from me (like Sher Sellman). You assigned extra work to me. You left me in charge of the class. You treated me (and all of us) as if we had the ability to reason and engage with you directly. All the teachers at MHHS did so, and I’m so grateful for that formation. I hope others of my classmates have reached out to tell you how much we love you. Please know that your service to us is so much appreciated.

Since my time in your care, I have earned a BA and an MA in English, and an MAT in Catholic theology, and I am currently working on a certificate in Jewish Context and Culture. I was ordained to the diaconate in the Catholic Church in 2013. Currently, I'm wrapping up my final year and culminating research work on a JCL (licentiate in canon law). I may eventually get around to a terminal degree in Patristics and scriptural theology, but we'll see how much energy I have left after this current program.

I left your care still a bit indolent (not by any fault of yours or my other excellent teachers), but I eventually caught on and began to demand more of myself in academics and in my professional life. While I owe all my great English teachers at MHHS for that formation, your voice is the one I hear when I slack off and make excuses. And it’s not a voice of condemnation but of gentle reprimand, one that has helped me throughout my life to get off my backside and get to work—intellectually, professionally, and spiritually.

I am sorry it has taken me so long to tell you how much I appreciate your impact on my life. I thank God for your presence and the gift of your guidance. May you and your family continue to be blessed.

Sincerely,

Deacon Bill Burns, MA, MAT