My friend Liz Myhill

Today would’ve been my friend Liz Myhill’s 50^th birthday. 

She was the greatest tutor, a wonderful friend, and the ultimate neighbor.  She was an absolute riot, the only person I’ve ever known to make math unashamedly fun.   Now that I think of it, I never had an interaction with her in which I didn’t laugh a lot…really hard. 

She introduced to me to many important things: like the music of Allison Krauss and frozen GoGurt.  I didn’t realize it when I was younger, but I was learning lots from Liz: about the beauty of knitting, the pleasure of spontaneity, the acceptance of miserable failures, and the importance of not giving a shit about what other people think about you.  

Every time I try and write something about Liz, she always pops into my head and reads over my shoulder saying things like, “eww you’re exaggerating” and “oh pa-lease.”  But I’m going to say them anyway.  Liz: you are an inspiration to me single day.  You pioneered the sciences when lots of women were told not to or they were too afraid to pursue it.  You made me believe I was smart and strong.  You were honest and hilarious and kind.  Your creativity—as a physicist, as a writer, as a mother, as a craftswoman, as a friend—is so impressive and unique; I still benefit from it today.  I just wanted to say thank you so much for the confidence you inspired in me and for the friendship we had.  I still miss you so much.  There are things we won’t be able to talk about like the politics of food and the incredible geology I’m encountering over here in Ireland or my discovery and interest in a field called Narrative Medicine.  I crave your opinions and insight.  I’ll write about them so in case you can read this, you’ll know. 

I am so lucky to have known you Liz, and I love you. Happy birthday.