Dear Rick, Jacob, Matt, and Judy:

Thank you for the glorious Celebration of Life for Lissy.

I want to share a few more words for all who loved her, most importantly for your family, Mark, Sheila, Audrey, and Terri.

Van Gogh once said, “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore”.

We all feel unanchored, a storm of grief.

We also know that eventually the storm subsides, the skies clear to blue and the seas glitter calm.

A cycle…. With Love and Gratitude to our beautiful Lissy. 

Dan & Tina   

My condolences to Elissa's family have been given again and again and again, as well as to our mutual friends, "The Shrinkettes".  I first met Elissa during an American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting  in a state/town now forgotten. I was, as always completely lost, meandering around looking for the consultant's reception, when this tall, thin, redhead with a brilliant smile says, "you look lost, come with me, we'll find the reception together". And just like that, it was instant friendship.  We met every morning for the first meeting, shared quick bites at the exhibits, talked to vendors, went our own way then bumped into each other again. It's the same way our careers and lives have been. I will miss her, but not as much as her wonderful husband, sons and sister. 

 Sometimes  it gets to me how many people I am loosing lately. My friend Elissa succumbed to the illness they said she would die of in 3-5 years...and that was close to 25 years ago. Her memorial is tomorrow and one of my daughters, Nicole, is coming down for it. Elissa generally joined us for Easter and the family always looked forward to seeing her.

  Elissa and I met about 30 years ago in my office when she was buying an airline ticket. She had 2 boys, my grandsons Chris and Tim's age and had recently become a single parent via divorce. 

One day I called her and told her to bring the boys over to play  with my grandkids and then she could finish her paper for her Masters degree.  I wonder if Matt will remember having 'chocolate 2 trees soup' for dinner that day. I had 5 kids to feed and only a little hamburger, some tree shaped pasta, some veggies.  The chocolate was an afterthought (one tablespoon) to convince Matt that it HAD TO BE GOOD....it had chocolate in it.

 I will miss Elissa and our 'Beer and Pizza and loads of talking' nights.'    Once you know someone well, you don't have to be without a conversation with them after they are gone. You know how they would react and you can even laugh about some things. I will always miss Elissa but will keep her spirit close to me forever.