I am sad to know that Gina is no longer here on earth with us. She was a beautiful woman of extraordinary intelligence and compassion. My office is in the physician's lounge at the hospital that Gina practiced, so I had the privilege to speak with her on many occasions. One Friday a few years back she was there, and I shared with her that I was going on a spiritual retreat for the weekend. I usually don't share those things with everyone, but something about her made me feel that I could. From that one conversation, it turned out that although our life paths were very different, we had much in common. It was a bad time in my personal life, and I told her I was reading a book by someone named Pema Chodron called When Things Fall Apart. No, surprise, she was a fan of Pema's too. We had many great conversations after that. I was sad to know she was leaving UH, but on the other hand was excited for the women of Boston. The were getting someone extraordinary, who was going to make a difference. Gina's premature death hurts. This is a big WHY? that is going to take some time for us all to figure out. So, I found my copy of When Things Fall Apart the other day, and started to read it again in honor of Gina. I keep going back to Page 11 that reads: "When things fall apart, and we're on the verge of we know not what, the test for each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize. The spiritual journey is not about heaven and finally getting to a place that is really swell. In fact, that way of looking at things is what keeps us miserable." How true. From my perspective, Gina was right there on the edge. Leaving something behind -- again. Braver than most could ever be to be heading into the unknown. An amazing woman. I am sad and will miss you Dr. Anderson. But I do believe in my heart that spirits are eternal, so you are with us somewhere, somehow. With love and respect, Your friend, Anne Egan