Eulogy

I'd like to say a few words of tribute today about my good friend Johann Blizger, not only on my behalf, but on behalf of all of her friends and family as well. I met Johann my sophomore year at Utah State University, but I didn't really get to know her until our junior year when we first had class together, a ritual we made sure not to break thereafter. We bonded quickly and she was the first person I considered a friend from Utah, but it wasn't long before she became one of my closest friends period.

Though my heart is filled with much sadness on this day, my message is not one of despair, but one of hope, love, and celebration. Anyone who had the good fortune of spending time with Johann can attest to the wit and good humor, which she embodied. She loved to laugh and more importantly she loved to make others laughÐ'...a job she always seemed to accomplish with ease. She was the type of person who lived her life to the fullest, and took advantage of each and every minute. While we mourn the loss of such a great person, we should not lose sight of these ideals which Johann found so important. She would want us to continue living our lives in the same manner she did. She would want us to laugh again. Rather than mourn her death, she would want us to celebrate her life.

In keeping with that spirit, I thought about the many things that Johann did to make us laugh. Who can forget how Johann would come up with new words like, "flaperdaper" or how she would always comment on the poo-poo platter. I remember when we would be at parties and she would have the whole room laughing at her "psych out moves" during Beirut or the way she would dance to the gangster rap on the stereo. It brings a smile to my face right now. And of course, there were the over the top sunglasses with the huge lenses she wore in all the colors of the rainbow, which I still think she did for the laughs and not the fashion. She simply had a way to brighten any day and bring a smile to your face.

We were both supposed to graduate this May and we planned on going out with a bang together. We were excited for graduation day and the events we would attend surrounding it. After graduation we were both moving to different states to continue our education but planned on staying just as close as we were. I know this wouldn't have been a problem because she wasn't the type of person to forget a friend and I know