Laura’s 10:00am Sunday update

Our arrival in Athens Thursday evening was almost shocking: the usual excitement I feel in anticipation of adventures that Liza had planned was replaced by nothingness and dread of how I would cope with what was ahead. Fortunately friends were waiting, prepared to soak up some of my grief. After dinner we met up with Liza’s friends at the bar where she worked for several years, her late-night home away from home.
Friday was even tougher, but again friends and family pulled me through. I delivered the Big Liza Energy trophy to the KD house to use as motivation for kindness, encouragement, and authenticity during the sorority’s recruitment season. We went through Liza’s belongings in the house that she shared with four roommates for the last two years. After sorting through, FaceTiming with her bestie from Asheville, and packing up anything we thought we might use, I laid on her bed and cried. At night the University of Georgia brought its best game (and we know that’s damn good!) to our family. Jere Morehead, the University’s president, conveyed Liza’s diploma with majors in Management and International Business. We were taken to a spacious box above the 50 yard line at Sanford Stadium. Below, we could make out Liza’s best friends who had slipped in late and were taking their seats in the rear. In memory of Liza, her good friend and co-worker, Mitcham, called the dogs to the crowd in hopes that those on the field might hear. Then, as the ceremony was about to begin, we heard the fight chant arising from the field, clearly originating from the back. 
After speeches were made and students were honored, degrees were ready to be conferred. Jere Morehead asked for a moment of silence in Liza’s memory. The stadium was completely still and quiet. Then he announced that Liza’s family and friends were in the audience. The students and so many in attendance stood and looked our way and clapped. I was focused on the back of the field waving and fist-pumping to Liza’s friends who I was there to celebrate as Liza would’ve wanted. It was awesome.
Yesterday her housemates and fellow KD neighbors hosted a bash for friends and family in their backyards. We gave LiveLikeLiza shirts and hats to her besties, drank what will likely become the official “Tranquil-Liza”, sang Valerie, and took pictures. I was once again reminded that Liza picked her friends well.
Today is the final event in Athens, a Celebration of Liza, at Terrapin Brewing that her boyfriend Leighton has prepared. I go back to the message/insistence she and Edie gave me a few days after Liza’s death: this earthly lifetime is short so enjoy it: we’ll see you soon enough. May I deliver on that for my girls this Mothers Day!