When I first walked into Aggie Frenchy's home, she hugged me from across the room with her gentle smile, her sparkling eyes and her generous spirit.

A glow of comfort, compassion, love and respect washed over me. I felt at peace and I felt loved.

Over the past 30 or more years, three generations of Chemainus First Nations children have felt that same glow -- a consistent, gentle love, a sense of caring and support, caring and support that has continued to wash over each one of them even as they grew into adulthood.

In the Chemainus First Nation, Aggie Frenchy is a Siem or Respected One. She's also a grandmother with forty-four grandchildren.

"Aggie has been a big uplift to our community ever since she married into it," former Chief, Peter Seymour told me. "The lady is priceless. She's a good listener and she walks the walk showing patience and humility. She doesn't judge people. She just accepts them for who they are."

Doug Harris, a single father and one of Aggie's former preschool students says, "Her heart is full of love and she is always helping our youth. She has influenced all of us in my generation and now my son is benefiting from that same positive influence."

I could have written this column after visiting Aggie in her home but I wanted to see her at work too.

Truth is, I just wanted to see her again. You see, I've decided that Aggie Frenchy is a woman I want to have as a friend and mentor forever. Visiting her at work at the Chemainus First Nation Preschool was an absolute joy.

What is it that Aggie French tries to give to her young students?

"First of all," she says, "I try to give them a good feeling. That they would look at me and say, 'That's a person I can trust.'

"I also try to give them a lot of love and if they show they don't mind being cuddled, I give them a lot of that too."

At that point a young boy walked past, cradling a book in his arms, laughing and chatting with the other children.

"When he first came here," Aggie said, "he was shaking and withdrawn. Now he is just like all the other children."

I had a feeling this young boy's success had a lot to do with Aggie's hugs, hugs by the way that are still returned almost every time she meets former students who are now adults.

They even come up to me in the mall and give me hugs," she said. "That's my reward."

I had to wonder where we have gone wrong, given that today's teachers are told not to touch their students.

What are the most important needs Chemainus First Nations children have?

"We need to help our children strengthen their communication skills," Aggie says.

"More of our parents need to sit down and read with their children and help them to improve their math skills too.

"That's happening more and more today."

"In my age, we weren't allowed to raise our voice or to look another person in the face if we were angry but now young people are learning to communicate more strongly ... and that's good.

As I was preparing to leave, Aggie said, "I'm getting of an age that if I do die, I'll die with a smile on my face because I've known so many fine people ... and that's how I feel."

When she said that, I knew in my heart that thousands or perhaps tens of thousands of people would join me in saying, "Right back atcha Aggie. We love you too."