Hi, ’04s! Happy Fourth of July! I hope you are able to celebrate the holiday in style with fireworks, hot dogs, and ice cream galore.

And while we are celebrating the holiday with family and friends (and the summer more generally), I want to take a moment to celebrate the life of Meredith Liu, as Meredith’s friends and family are deeply saddened to share that she recently passed away. Meredith was brilliant in every sense. Her compassion, intellectual curiosity, quick wit, generosity of spirit, and light-hearted sense of joy left an unmistakable imprint on so many lives.

As an education reform leader, she was a groundbreaking innovator, an inspiring champion of children and families, a deeply caring friend, and a cherished colleague. She cofounded The Primary School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to dramatically improving outcomes for children by rethinking how primary education and primary care systems work together. Meredith would break through walls for the people she loved, which included every single member of the organizations she guided. Through her work in every community she served, she advocated relentlessly for a more equitable system of care for children. Meredith will be so deeply missed by so many.

There are no perfect words to close during moments like these, but at least let’s please remember to take time to cherish all that life brings. Because even though some days may feel long, life is in fact too short. Look forward to catching up with you in the next column and sending love to all!

—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com