Sweet Sue,
How impossible it is to believe that you have been gone for a year. Never a day goes by that your friends and family are not thinking of you. Collectively we've sent up a huge cloud of love to envelope your memory for eternity. Your laughter, strength of character  and love for others will live on in the stories we share. 
We miss you.

A gathering of girls for Sue in Monterey, CA

We thought it fitting to do everything we knew Sue would love. 

 

First, the gathering and greeting. There were some tears shed of course. She would understand so we did it for her and for us.

 

Then, there was eating. Lots and lots of eating. She would understand so we did it for her and for us.

 

To be completely honest-there was also a lot of laughter and silliness. We told many stories and jokes that Sue would have laughed at and improved upon. We imitated her goofy dance moves and sang some songs. She would understand so we did it for her and for us.

 

We visited the beach to help clear our hearts and strengthen our minds to remind us of how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She would understand so we did it for her and for us.

 

And finally, for those of us who were brave enough we got tattoos to honor our most beloved sister. We did it for her and hope she understands.

Celebration of Life flowers

Pink roses for Sweet Sue

 Today as I was thinking about Sue and our first year at UCSB, I remembered how she brought the book The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran with her, and how much she liked it. Here is a fitting passage.

~Cathy Clary~

 

 

Then Almitra spoke, saying, We would ask now of Death.

   And he said:

   You would know the secret of death.

   But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

   The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

   If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

   For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

   In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

   And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.

   Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

   Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

   Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?

   Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

   For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

   And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

   Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

   And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

   And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Celebration of Life for Sue in Mesquite

There will be a Celebration of Life for Sue on October 25 from 3-7pm.

 Grill Room at the Oasis Golf Club
100 Palmer Ln, Mesquite, NV 89027

Please RSVP to either:
Naomi at 702 232-1866
Email: naomiandersen@yahoo.com

or Patti at 702 433-4783
Email: pattivalis@yahoo.com

With love from Brenda, Tony, Blanton, Freyja, Adeline and Mathis

“Sue is one of those people you want everyone to meet.”

It’s something Freyja mentioned, in between tears, yesterday and I think sums up the bundle of love, joy and happiness Sue is.

Everyone needs a Sue, someone to share and champion their dreams, to constantly lavish love and hospitality on them and to be interested in every area of their lives.

As has been said before, we’re all extremely privileged and better off having known her and the world is a better place because she lived in it.

While Sue has been taken from us she leaves a legacy etched in our hearts and a challenge to be Sue-like towards others in our own lives.

As I’ve traced the memories I have of her there isn’t one that doesn’t make me smile and each will be cherished forever.

As well as being a beautiful human Sue will be remembered for her enthusiasm and unforgettable moves on the dance floor.

So in light of that I’d like to share a photo from an impromptu Thanksgiving dance-off between Wendy and Sue that happened last year while we visited.

While not 100 per cent sure I think the song they were dancing to was Scream and Shout by Will.I.Am and Britney Spears.

And if I’m not mistaken this was about the point in the song where the lyrics go something like this “when we’re up in the club, all eyes on us. See the boys in the club, they’re watching us.”

Today we’ll do a jig for you Sue.

Love Brenda, Tony, Blanton, Freyja, Adeline and Mathis.

Sweet Sue

At 6:05pm this evening our sweet Susan passed away peacefully.

She was surrounded by her family who gave their blessing for her to leave this earth. She leaves a giant hole in all our hearts and we selfishly wanted to keep her here with us, but she is at peace now, as she should be.

There is not going to be a funeral as Sue wouldn't want that sort of thing. Towards the end of the month there will be a celebration of life. We will post information about it on the blog once things are decided.

If you feel you would like to do something in Sue's honor, Joe thought instead of flowers that she would prefer donations be sent to your local Humane society or spay and neuter clinic.

She is the bravest, kindest, most loving person I will (or any of us) will ever know.

Today I came across a poem I gave to her on her wedding day 27 years ago.

   "You are my best friend,
   Because you feel so much like home to me.....
   That feeling that someone cares,
   That feeling of welcome that the site of home always brings.

   With you as my friend,
   I can always know sunshine more than my troubles.
   You turn any sadness into a simple understanding that I can accept.

   And when I'm feeling happy...and wanting to share everything that is wonderful to me,
   you are there....raedy to listen.

   You add so much to each day....
   And I wanted to say Thanks, Thanks for being my best friend"
                                                           -Yvonne-
                                   
Susan, we will miss you! Your spirit will live on forever. Thank you for brightening our lives and truly teaching us how to be better people.

I love you with all my heart.

Ronnie