Now Why Do We Have To Do That?

Today I couldn't help but ponder a very poignant question: "how come goodbyes are so hard?"
My question came because I have a very dear friend who went home to Chile today. I didn't realize what I had lost until hours later when I drove home from work, and it was very hard.
I believe that at least once in our life time, we meet that one person that grows to become something that is much more than just a friend. We make friends that help us grow and become much more than we were before. Such a friend is Vivian.
I met Vivian when I started working in the admissions office at the LDSBC in March 2006, and in a few months so much had happened. Vivian taught me all that I now know about work ethics, professionalism, how to be empathetic to others, how to be strong.....so many things! Together we moved the admissions office to the triad center, organized it, and established many procedures that are in effect to this day. That summer was the best summer I can remember. We worked so hard, and it was so worth it!
One of my favorite memories was when Vivian's mom came to visit from Chile, and they invited me to go with them to Manti for the annual pageant. I left work that day, and met them in Provo, and we went to Manti on a car that belonged to a mutual friend. All was well until we arrived in Manti and Vivian parked the car. Someone asked us to move the car, but it wouldn't start. We decided to leave the car alone until after the presentation, and when we came back the car started without hesitation, so we started driving home. Not long after that (we were still in the city), all of a sudden all the lights in the car died and when I pulled over, the car died too. We didn't know what to do, and the police came and helped start the car (it seemed to be something with the battery). After the car started, everything worked, so I started to drive away, and as soon as we left the city the lights died again. While the car still worked, we decided to stop at the McDonald's right at the end of Manti, and the three of us "spent the night" there. When I say spend the night, I mean spend the entire night laughing at our situation. Somehow I made it to work the next morning.
Another experience I had with Vivian that I cherish was in the admissions office. One day in the office, I made a mistake and Vivian reprimanded me. I was very offended by her "rudeness", and for a while I let that brew inside me. Then my brother gave a lesson during FHE about Satan, and in it he said that when we are offended we are doing the devil's work. At that point the Spirit touched my heart and I felt bad that I had let a comment (not a wrong comment) take me far from the Spirit. The next morning I went to the office earlier and I explained to Vivian what had happened and how I felt. Vivian was very understanding. This experience, which many times ruins friendships, served to strengthen ours.
When I think of Vivian, I can't help but remember the words to a beloved hymn from the Church. It represents my feelings for friends, and not just any friend, but a friend like Vivian. The hymn number is 293, and is called Each Life that Touches Ours for Good.
The lyrics are:

1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

God Bless Friends!