Everyday Bliss

On Sunday evening I received a phone call from a friend. She had to inform me that one of my best friends was in a car accident and passed away. Katie Renville and I met about three years ago. She was the Pianist for Grimm Tales, the first BYU production either of us had ever been in. I remember sitting at the read through and talking to her. She had such a warm and inviting smile. Little did I know that this person would become so much a part of my life. We automatically became buddies in the cast, trying to out do everyone in our strength and in our driving skills. We were the best "grimmies" ever.

Shelby Pinney, Katie, and I fell in this habit of going to the Malte Shoppe whenever one of us wanted a break from life. And Katie and I especially had our "Girls" moments of going there. It became our thing. And eventually, as it goes, that tradition died down to something we just spoke of and passed along as a "we need to go someday" sort of thing. And, every time I go even before now, I think of Katie and Shelby.

She was my friend, co-actress, stage manager, and peer. We acted in two student run projects together, Grimm Tales, and she was the stage manager for another play I had a part in. And she was always there with a smile, talking about her mo-ped, her latest idea for a makeup project, or whatever else came to mind. She added excitement to my life in so many ways. She taught me so much.

Today I sat in another touring van thinking of Katie. It just reminded me of her, of us, and how much fun we had just being crazy. Or how much mature we felt when we drove the Van and backed it up WITH THE TRAILER. We were only humble about the things we were supposed to be humble about. Backing up the van was NOT one of those things. And, she was always better at that than I (although I would never let in to that until now). Just sitting in the van today and watching the windshield wipers go back and forth was enough for me to smile and reflect on those first few months of becoming great friends.

Finally, I don't know where we picked it up, or how it started, but when we greeted each other it was always with our New Yorker accents "Debra Doll how are you?" and our parting was the same every time, "I love you, doll." And I always knew that she meant it. She really did love so many people. And she was capable of that love and that energy for SO many people.

(Sorry Laura if I copy your style but it seems appropriate) Katie I love you too. I hope you know that. You have made a tremendous impact on my life. Your imprint will forever linger in my heart. I will miss your laughter. I will miss your smile. I have so many memories and I will cherish them. I am glad that you were my friend and you let me return the favor. I don't understand why I was so blessed this semester to have you in two classes, and I don't even know how it happened, but we always managed to sit right next to each other EVERY day. I loved that. I missed you on monday. I sat there, in the seat you usually sat in, and this may be really weird, but I felt honored. I only wished for a moment that I could articulate like you could and then it could have been like you never left, but it wouldn't. It was only pretend. But that's okay right? Thank you, thank you, thank you! You've done so much for so many people. Thanks for what you did for me. Katie, Doll I will miss you, I love you, and you really were the best at backing up the van, actually it was that and so much else.