For Susie

[kitkatz]

I saw this picture and thought of you my friend!

[Chris]

 
She would have liked that for sure.

[okarol]

  Hahaha! Yep, she would have loved it!

[thegrammalady]

i've been thinking about her a lot lately. that would have really made her smile.

[lola]

 

[glitter]

she would have liked that for sure! I miss her too, she always made us smile didn't she?

[Meinuk]

It's funny.  When I think of Susie, I am usually laughing or crying.  In my mind, I know that she'd not really approve of the number of tears that I've shed over her, but I know that she'd be blubbing right along with me.

IHD is a star in the crown TIARA of her life.  Rather than sink into a permanent funk over her illnesses, she remained cheery, happy and pretty much unflappable.  I'm not so good at that, but I try.

Epoman and Susie showed us, their peers, when life hands you lemons (or bum kidneys) fight back and laughter and love are the best medicine (besides high dose home dialysis).  It was three years ago this month that I stumbled across IHD.  I was an obsessive lurker, and I had just started in center dialysis.  Susie and Epoman had just had a misunderstanding (that was quickly patched up) and it was business as usual. 

In her grief over Epoman's death, Susie was still thoughtful enough to reach out to me, a newbie who hadn't posted much.  I needed all the support that I could get during my time on dialysis, as much as I hated to admit it.  Susie sensed that and her phone calls started.  And after she died, I realized that it wasn't just me.  Susie was reaching out to so many people... and we all were echoing the same thing. Susie spread love and care and made every life she touched special, (and just a bit rowdier, bawdier and funnier).

I'm not a big believer in Heaven & Hell (and I stay away from the "Is there a God" thread) but I do believe that during her life, Susie was an earthbound angel.  And in her death I hope that she finds peace and that somehow, she knows what a difference she made in so many lives.

[paris]

Meinuk,  You wrote a beautiful tribute to Susie. And now I am crying        She had a way to make each of us feel special.  She always seemed to know just what we needed to hear.  I hope with all my heart that we did the same for her.  Her spirit lives on in all she touched.  What a funny girl! Makes you smile just to think of her!   I often think how she would have responded to posts.   Good to see you, Meinuk.  Susie loved you so much.   Me too!

[okarol]

Thanks Meinuk. I love to hear about Suzie. She was one in a million.

Absolutely true paris "She had a way to make each of us feel special."

 

[Sluff]

 

[Rerun]

I miss her too.  She was scared of clowns..... if I remember right.

[paris]

Yes she was!  And you knew her from the beginning.  We had a good time that first time in Vegas, didn't we?

[paris]

Well, Susie, I just need to talk to you for a bit.  Last night I heard a hundred children sing "What a Wonderful World" and I felt your presence. Today I got a box with 2 dozen purple boas in the mail.  24 purple boas for our Walk.  And then two granddaughters stopped by and asked if I had tiaras for them to wear on the Walk.  Beth did a radio interview and she told people how we first met you. Walking through the casino with that sash "Drama Queen", purple boa and tiara and looking like this was how everyone dressed!  People love to hear stories about you.  I wonder if I will ever have the impact on anyone that you have had on IHD?   On May 2nd, Beth and I will gather family and friends, don our fancy accessaries and proudly walk in your memory.   I know you and Epoman know we are carrying on his vision.  It is amazing how many members there are.  But, also sad because it means kidney disease is effecting more and more people.     We all still miss you - miss your humor, your love, your unconditional support.  There is a void that will always be there.   Like I said, I just really needed to talk to you today. I know there will be a sign -- another song, a single feather, a clown (!) and it will remind me that you are always around.