Lucy's guidance counselor drove her to college and bought her clothes. How do you feel it impacted Lucy's life? Is there someone in your past who did something like this for you that impacted your future?

Lucy relays the story of her high school guidance counselor who not only drove her to college, but stopped at a mall along the way to buy her clothes. Why do you think she took this action, and how do you feel it impacted Lucy's life?

Is there someone in your past who did something similar for you that really had an impact on your future?

I think Lucy’s guidance counselor made a profound difference in her life. The clothes helped her fit in, and Lucy asked the counselor to pretend that she was her mother when they first arrived at her dormitory. These actions may have helped alleviate her feelings of being different in a small but important way. I did have two people in my professional life who asked me to accept a new type of job in my field. I did make both of those changes.

For once Lucy felt that someone cared about her and wanted her to succeed. It gave her the opportunity to appear "normal" and not an outsider. What a wonderful person that counselor was!

Her counselor made her feel “visible” and cared for and she mentored her. What a wonder thing to do For someone. I had a professor in College who helped boost my confidence and believe in my self. They made a real difference in my college experience.

I thought this guidance counselor was wonderfully kind and helpful to Lucy. This was one of my favorite parts of the book. It makes me think about the ways we can touch each other's lives, with support and love. I am certainly grateful for people who have been there for me.

I absolutely loved the part about the guidance counselor! The casual manner in which she led Lucy to pack that suitcase (I'm trying to avoid spoilers) and agreed to walk her in, etc. brought tears to my eyes. Fortunately, I never was as desperate as Lucy, but I did have a college professor to whom I turned for advice during my first year of teaching school. I ended up staying in touch with him and his wife until they both passed on.

I can't add anything to this that hasn't already been well written, but is is undoubtedly my favorite part of the book -- the best thing that happed to the long-suffering child that Lucy was.

The guidance counselor really changed Lucy life. To be so aware of a students needs and feelings and to go out of her way to buy clothes and a suitcase so Lucy could be seen as just another student made a world of difference in Lucy's life. What Lucy was feeling at that time, the need to ask this counselor to be her mother is unimaginable. It was something Lucy never forgot and I am sure it affected the way she treated her girls and others in her life.

As someone who spent her life working in schools, I loved the image of the guidance counselor stepping in to provide such needed material and emotional support when Lucy needed it most. It makes for a nice story which surely changed the trajectory of her life. I don't find this exact scenario very realistic in today's world, but it is a reminder to all of us how one caring person can make a difference to a child or young adult in need.

There is no doubt that the kindness of the counselor impacted Lucy’s life. It made Lucy appear as an equal in the eyes of the other students.

Without going into a lot of detail there was an adult cousin in my life who recognized me as a very shy girl who had little self confidence. Her words to me were “ just remember you are no better or worse than anyone else.” Those words totally changed my life

I loved this part! That guidance counselor had such a great impact on Lucy. Those simple acts of taking Lucy to school, buying her clothes and allowing Lucy to pretend they were mother and daughter helped Lucy fit in,feel more confident, and feel like somebody cared about her.

This part of the book was so beautifully written. The kindness of the guidance counselor pulled at the strings of my heart. It was this event that gave Lucy her first opportunity to have a life with love, joy, success, and self-worth.