end of an era...

She moved.

I'm talking about my dear roommate, and one of my best friends of all time, Lisa. She's gone.

Lisa is awesome for, like, 4.3 billion reasons. She's one of the first people I met when I moved to Idaho Falls more than 3 years ago, and our friendship was basically instantaneous.

Since I met her that summer, we've done a lot of fun things; hiked a couple hundred miles, traveled a bit, had so many terrific chats.

We've been roommates for more than 2 years, and Lisa's just about the easiest person to live with. EVER. She's thoughtful and giving and has made many gestures (both large and small) to let me know she cares. She's a dynamite cook and can always make me smile. I can tell her anything.

And she leaves people better than she found them. I like to think I'm a better person because of her. I'm so lucky I got to associate with her so frequently.

Anyway, Lisa has taken a job with ILP, which is exactly down her alley; she's going to love it there, and the people she'll be working with/for are going to be lucky to have her. ILP headquarters are in Provo. She starts Monday. She moved out today.

I know it's not like I'll never see her again (I mean, she's moving less than 4 hours south of where I am sitting), but my heart hurts a bit right now. It's like the end of an era.

I wrote her a little going-away poem, because the occasion screamed for a Gina Original...

It’s NOT Good-Bye

By Gina O.

“All good things must come to an end,” or so the story goes;

I never liked that proverb much, I just want you to know...

Life in I.F. will be strange without you, dearest friend.

But just because you’re moving out, it does NOT mark the end!

This bond runs deep; it began when we ran that horrid race.

-You know the one I’m speaking of—somehow we took third place!

And that was just the start of it, our friendship real and true;

A million fond, fun memories o’er time we have accrued.

I love the awesome trips you planned and let me tag along.

I cannot choose a favorite—that task’s too hard and wrong.

Because each trip we went on holds a place within my heart:

Like Disneyland or Havasu—where would I even start?!

We’ve been on oh so many hikes—a bet a hundred or more,

And even when the trails were long, it never was a bore!

Chicago was a sweet surprise to celebrate my birth;

A secret trip for Gina? WOW! It brought me such great mirth!

Yet, even when our plans are small, like movies late at night,

Spending time with you is fun and makes any evening bright!

I love your thoughtfulness and charm, and your sneaky wit;

You can always make me smile—this friendship is legit.

I only hope I’ve been a friend deserving of your love.

Lisa, you’re amazing, and a blessing from above.

As you move down to Utah (or “Zion” as it’s known),

I wish for you the very best—like a husband who is toned. :)

For an early birfday present, Lisa bought me a ticket to the local Robert Burns dinner
where we tried The Haggis...

Also, I called Lisa this evening to check on her and see how she's doing; I was up in my room changing into my jam-jams, and I told Lisa I wanted to bug Brooke by wearing my new slipper/booties up over some stretchy pants. Lisa encouraged me to take it a step (or two) further...BEHOLD!

Brooke rolled her eyes, and we decided my superhero name must be something like Slumber Girl.

You know, because of the bed sheet cape and the eye cover thingy...

Can you even image what I'd be capable of with a little alcohol in my system? Good thing I don't drink...