As most of you know by now, Liz Connors Tindall passed away late Saturday night, Dec 2nd. I was trying to wait to post something until I heard about her funeral arrangements, but cannot wait any longer to say something about my girl. So here goes...there were only a few girls I met at Belair JHS that I have stayed lifelong friends with and Liz was one of them. The first time I met Liz was the last day of 7th grade. She and Gail Vereb Sinkovic were walking across the big grassy lawn in front of the school. Now I had made friends with Gail since she had been in my french class, but I had no clue who Liz was. Gail asked me to sign her yearbook, so I did. You know, one of those page long entries remembering all the crazy things that went on in class with "Mssr. DuBois". When I finished, Liz asked me to sign her yearbook. Since I didn't know her, I didn't have anything to write, so she just got my signature. I remember she looked forlornly at the page. Fast forward to the first day of 8th grade...I was already sitting in french class when Liz walked in. She spotted me and gave me a big wave. I was dreading that she was going to sit next to me. She walked right up to me and said, "Hi Gerry! Remember me? Can I sit here?" I was like "suit yourself". I will never forget what she had on. She had on this naval inspired coordinated outfit that looked like those matching Garanimal outfits you used to be able to buy at Sears. Her hair was pulled into 2 ponytails and tied with that big thick red yarn we used to wear. I teased her all week about her outfits just to see if I could get under her skin. Finally, at the end of the week, she yelled at me - "Look! I don't care if you don't like my clothes! But if you don't want to be friends, just let me know!" I thought "WOW!", this chick is feisty! That sealed the bond to our friendship and it was never broken! Liz was the smartest girl I knew. She also had a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She was an amazing mother who raised 2 wonderful children, both of whom are teachers like herself. She was a great teacher, of which, there is no doubt in my mind she made a positive influence on her students. She married a 2nd time to an amazing man, Justin Tindall, a Chesapeake, VA police officer. They made a great couple. Justin, a large, handsome, soft-spoken southern gentleman. A big ol' teddy bear kind of guy who just happens to be packing heat! And Liz, a smart, funny, always smiling, sometimes loud, nutty Maryland girl, who loved the O's and the Ravens. Her Chesapeake friends said she brought some of the North to the South! Liz loved that!

A few years ago, while my son was still in high school, and had a band competition in VA Beach, I stayed at Liz's house. It was just like old times. We fell into the same conversations and laughed about the same old things. At one point, Liz went up stairs and brought down those old junior high yearbooks! We were looking through them, and then all of a sudden, I saw my lone signature! We cracked up! I said to her, "I would need a whole encyclopedia to write something now!"

Awww, Lizzie, what can I say? I will miss you forever-our long phone calls to catch up, your beautiful bright smile, your unabashed laughter, your wise advice and your big girlfriend hugs!

Peace to all of you - I promise when I know about arrangements, I will post them.