August 1971.  BYU.  Freshman year.  Freshman brain.  Debby, Dixie and Dotty taking on the world, or so we thought.  It was our first Sunday afternoon, living on our own.  There were six in our dorm.  We spent the afternoon out in the yard meeting new people and enjoying our freedom.  After a while everyone split to get some food with plans of hooking up again later.  The six from the dorm next door landed at our place and we continued the chit chat when there was a knock at the door.  Thinking it was some of our new friends, we all loudly trailed down the hall to our door which opened into the lobby.  Not wanting to be “normal” we tapped, banged, and scratched on the opaque window in the door as we continued singing at the top of our lungs.  When no one returned our tapping or our singing, we finally decided to open the door.  It got quiet real fast.

The expected friends were nowhere to be seen, instead we were looking at a distinguished couple.  Our whole tribe just stared. You could hear murmurs of, “Who are they?”  Denise, our new roommate whispered, “I think it’s the principal.”

The gentleman asked, “Is Debby Price here?”  Deb wasn’t too anxious to step forward, but she did and received the news that she was to call her Navy brother, Kleal J.  Seems Kleal had just surfaced after a three-month assignment on a submarine and wanted to talk to his little sister who was going to BYU.  This was long before cell phones.  We had filled out cards when we registered with our demographic information.  Those cards were stored in the Smoot Administration Building until secretarial help could type up directories with new phone numbers.  It was too early in the year for the directories, so when Kleal had called BYU, they couldn’t connect him with Deb. 

Well, here’s a Seaman who had been underwater for three-months serving his country and all he wanted was to talk to his sister!  Somehow, he got word to Governor Rampton who called “the principal” aka President Dallin Oaks and asked him as a personal favor to please find Debby Price and give her the message.  So, Dallin and June took a Sunday afternoon walk to the Smoot Admin Building, pulled Debby’s card and made a ministering visit to an apartment of freshman in order to deliver the message.  It was his first year at BYU, too and probably his first direct interaction with new students.  It’s a wonder he persevered.  

I was always impressed that Denise recognized President Oaks, even though she was a little off on the title.  She was aware and being aware can help prepare you for whomever is on the other side of the door.  This article is dedicated to her, Denise M. Thomas.  She passed away on July 8, 2023, fully prepared to meet whoever was on the other side after living an Aware Life helping those around her. Oh, that we could all be more aware!