Such beauty here in your words and experiences. Thank you for sharing from such a tender juncture and uniting us all with our open and broken hearts. xoxo
And there you were - standing up front with Cynthia - creating a beautiful evening for the many of us gathered for cake and conversation, not necessarily in that order. You were experiencing unspeakable things and you spoke not of them. I wish I’d known…I’d have worked my way to the front and offered a hug. So I offer one now from afar.
The passage about helping your mother in the bathroom undid me. We imagine a final goodbye should look like a hug and the right words, but sometimes love has already said goodbye through the most ordinary, intimate acts of care. And then the hand held on the porch swing—the “and” that keeps us upright. This is such a tender, honest picture of grief refusing to arrive alone.
This is so beautiful Susan. All of it.. your way of expressing your heart through words is a gift for those of us who have felt all the things life throws at us feel seen. There is something so sacred about helping our parents in their time of need… it’s brutiful .
I understand deeply the painfully beautiful honor of caring for an adult human’s personal needs. I had that privilege with Trevor at the end of his life. Oh, the power of walking tenderly in each other’s lives. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece of work. Your writing is sublime. Your words are deeply appreciated.
Thank you, Jeanie! And thanks for everything you did to make that time so special for me and my family. The opportunity to celebrate your mom was a true gift. ❤️ Love you! —Susan
Oh! I had not heard. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I am in awe at how gracefully you are able to write about the turbulent salad this summer has served to you. Thank you for sharing these tender moments. And for being ahead and living the things I have yet to learn.
Gone back a couple of times to look at the quilts. Never ceases to amaze me how art can soothe the soul. My condolscences... and affirmation on how you handled it. It appears to me you have an amazing family on both sides. My guess is that has everything to do with you.
Thank you, Scott! It really was an extraordinary show of her work—I wish I could have included all the photos. It saved me, being surrounded by all that beauty and sharing in that experience right when I did. I am definitely lucky in the family department, and beyond grateful for the amazing women who have taught and nurtured me. —Susan
What a tribute to both 'mothers'. Your words and the poem touched my heart. My mother passed away last year, July 3, 2025 at age 97. A tender passing when she whispered in my ear, "I Love You, and I'm still praying for you!" with a kiss on the cheek and a goodbye. She worried about my faith journey that has taken me from "her covenant path." I miss her everyday and count on her prayers for me!
Oh, thank you for sharing this sacred glimpse of your goodbye with your mom, Toni. I think mother-loss is probably distinct among losses in some ways, just as the relationship is. ❤️
Never going to be a fan of everything in the bowl, but I'm learning to love the bowl itself, and that is changing how I feel about some of the individual ingredients. Thank you, Rebecca! ❤️
Wow. Just wow. Beautiful tribute to your beautiful mom--you know you look like her, right?!
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words of wisdom, gratitude, and love. ❤️
Such beauty here in your words and experiences. Thank you for sharing from such a tender juncture and uniting us all with our open and broken hearts. xoxo
And there you were - standing up front with Cynthia - creating a beautiful evening for the many of us gathered for cake and conversation, not necessarily in that order. You were experiencing unspeakable things and you spoke not of them. I wish I’d known…I’d have worked my way to the front and offered a hug. So I offer one now from afar.
Beautiful and true. ❤️
The passage about helping your mother in the bathroom undid me. We imagine a final goodbye should look like a hug and the right words, but sometimes love has already said goodbye through the most ordinary, intimate acts of care. And then the hand held on the porch swing—the “and” that keeps us upright. This is such a tender, honest picture of grief refusing to arrive alone.
I can’t even put into words how much I love this. You are so special, Susan, and you’ve done your mother proud. Love you.
P.S. The photo of your Circle Way home brought so many memories (hide and seek, piano lessons…my wedding).💐
This is so beautiful Susan. All of it.. your way of expressing your heart through words is a gift for those of us who have felt all the things life throws at us feel seen. There is something so sacred about helping our parents in their time of need… it’s brutiful .
Sending love .. saying goodbye is hard. ❤️❤️
I understand deeply the painfully beautiful honor of caring for an adult human’s personal needs. I had that privilege with Trevor at the end of his life. Oh, the power of walking tenderly in each other’s lives. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece of work. Your writing is sublime. Your words are deeply appreciated.
Thank. you for reading, and for walking with me, Cathy Jo. I think of you and your Trevor often. Sending a hug. ❤️🩹 —Susan
Your recent intimate care for your mum was definitely a sign of your pure love for her. She knew that.🤍
Thank you, Amanda! I'm so grateful I had that tiny opportunity at just the right time. ❤️
This is so beautiful Susan. Thank you for putting your thoughts, emotions and experiences into such lovely words. Love you!♥️
Thank you, Jeanie! And thanks for everything you did to make that time so special for me and my family. The opportunity to celebrate your mom was a true gift. ❤️ Love you! —Susan
Oh! I had not heard. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I am in awe at how gracefully you are able to write about the turbulent salad this summer has served to you. Thank you for sharing these tender moments. And for being ahead and living the things I have yet to learn.
Thank you, Katy! And thanks for turning my words back on me—that's a little gift that really goes straight to my heart. ❤️ —Susan
Gone back a couple of times to look at the quilts. Never ceases to amaze me how art can soothe the soul. My condolscences... and affirmation on how you handled it. It appears to me you have an amazing family on both sides. My guess is that has everything to do with you.
Thank you, Scott! It really was an extraordinary show of her work—I wish I could have included all the photos. It saved me, being surrounded by all that beauty and sharing in that experience right when I did. I am definitely lucky in the family department, and beyond grateful for the amazing women who have taught and nurtured me. —Susan
This was beautiful. I'm deep in the day to day caring for my mil. This was the reminder I needed to see Her.
So hard, Brooke. Talk about bittersweet, you're really wading through the both/and of life. Much love to you. ❤️ —Susan
What a tribute to both 'mothers'. Your words and the poem touched my heart. My mother passed away last year, July 3, 2025 at age 97. A tender passing when she whispered in my ear, "I Love You, and I'm still praying for you!" with a kiss on the cheek and a goodbye. She worried about my faith journey that has taken me from "her covenant path." I miss her everyday and count on her prayers for me!
Oh, thank you for sharing this sacred glimpse of your goodbye with your mom, Toni. I think mother-loss is probably distinct among losses in some ways, just as the relationship is. ❤️
This is gorgeous. There is so much going on in our "dashes". May you love what's in your salad bowl. 🥗
Thank you, Rebecca! (I will never love the mushrooms.) 😁 —Susan
Never going to be a fan of everything in the bowl, but I'm learning to love the bowl itself, and that is changing how I feel about some of the individual ingredients. Thank you, Rebecca! ❤️