I don't even have words for the immeasurable loss the world has suffered in losing you. Never in my life have I seen one person work so hard to help others... be so sensitive to struggles they may never have experienced... all while fighting some very difficult battles of your own. You wanted to live life more than anyone I've ever met. I sit here typing this early morning before work, around the time we so often would chat during my commute into Manhattan and your 5am walks to beat the Arizona heat. You were a champion of mental health and wellness, self-care and self-love, life at its peak and also at its valleys. You never sugar-coated things and I appreciate your raw honesty about just how hard things get sometimes. You inspired people to talk about "uncomfortable" topics yet still managed to honor and respect the viewpoints that didn't necessarily fit within your own. You were tenacious, spirited, and fiesty on social media when even I myself shied away from posting or saying *controversial* things. I respect you so much for the words you put out there and the person you grew up to be.

Liz, you loved your family and friends with a passion I have never seen before. Despite the fact you often called yourself "overly sensitive", this seems to be exactly what made you the compassionate and understanding person we all knew and loved. I am reminded of you by the most trivial things and it is painstakingly hard to not text or call you on a whim throughout my day. While I'd much rather have you earth-side, I know I am so blessed to have you looking down upon me and many, many others.

A day will never go by where I don't think of you Liz. Working in healthcare or in any "business of helping others" can feel like the most difficult thing in the world at times and I know you understand that too. I feel lucky to have you serve as my reminder: it is an important "business", it is a calling, and it is something I am blessed to do each and every day. I miss everything about you and will do my best to live a life as devoted to others as you constantly seemed to do. I know this isn't goodbye but more of a "see you later" type deal.

You live on in my heart and I will love you for all time Elizabeth. Until we meet again....