I read a story somewhere that master woodworkers prefer woods cut from trees that are fully exposed to the elements from the time they are saplings, because the fibers of the wood from those trees become stronger as the tree is forced to adapt to survive many storms.
This is my metaphor for us, Mother.
You were those storms. I was that sapling.
I am stronger because of you.
I hope there is an eternity. I hope I can see you there.
Rest, Mother.
We remember you.
Your son,
Matt
PS - Thank you for maintaining this site, Laura ;-)
Susan was my best freind in 8th grade when she lived with her family in Angwin, CA. I have been looking for her since the last time she visited me in March 1990, with her son, in San Diego when my daughter Nicole was 6 weeks old. My sister, Joy, just found this website and now my search is over. Susan, may you rest in peace and I look foward to seeing you in heaven.
Judy
I remember a night when I lived in Monrovia. Sus & I were both bored so she came over and we took out all of her CD's (she had two full cases of them) and selected favorite songs from our childhood, growing up in New Zealand in the early '70's. We spent hours making cassette recordings of all of our favorite songs so that I would have the memories of those early years (and the night we made the recordings) with me always. There are awesome songs are there like the Hollies, 'All I Need is The Air That I Breathe' and 'Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast' - I don't remember who the artist is. I love those cassettes and all of the songs on them because it takes me back to that summer night in SoCal when Sue & I just had fun being girls. Later on we called Jon and he invited us to join him in Burbank for a 'Party for Three' and we stayed up way too late doing fun, bad things.
I remember back in the early '80's, when I had my first real broken heart. My boyfriend had called me at 4am to break up with me on the phone because he didn't approve of me going to Studio City to watch Carl Anderson (he played Judas in the original film version of 'Jesus Christ Superstar') perform. Susan watched my tear filled conversation and when I hung up and said, 'He just broke up with me', she took me in her arms and just held me while I sobbed my heart out in disbelief. Then she said, '***k him. Who needs him anyway? Are you hungry? Want some scrambled eggs? Here, I'll teach you how to make perfect scrambled eggs everytime. You put the eggs in a saucepan, not a frypan, add some milk, salt, pepper and swish with a fork and put it on low and keep stirring and then you're done.' So we ate scrambled eggs, disowned men, hugged, went to sleep and felt much better the next day.
I was so happy when she moved to Salem because I knew I would have my sister here to share things with and to play with and have girl nights with. And we had so many of them, I will have to share more memories with you on another night. We had nights in the massage chair, with facials and hot paraffin wax baths, manicures and pedicures and movie nights by the fire with the rain pouring down on the skylights and a glass of wine in our hands. Nights of 500 and Double Pinochle and light hearted arguments over table talk (you know who you are) and who was going to kick whose ass (we were). In fact, just weeks before she died, Mum & Aunt Karen played opposite Sue & I in a game of Double Pinochle and Sue & I won the round. So, her last card game was one in which she definitely kicked ass. Good times indeed.
To be continued. xoxo TINA xooxx
Some Memories w/Susan-
My first date w/Jon included meeting Susan for the first time at the fireside in which he had a few too many cocktails and passed out in the bathroom in the toilet stall. I had to send someone in to get him. Susan and I laughed hysterically. It was a great first meeting.
I remember hanging out at her apartment in Downey & listening to the Carpenters album. She sang it so well.
One night drinking beer with Susan & some Downey police officers in the parking lot adjacent to the police department. We drank like fish even though I was supposed to be at work at 7:45am. When we finally ran out of beer at 2:30am I was definitely ready to go home & pass out. Then one of the officers said he would run for more beer even though it was after hours (they have connections). Susan said, “ahhh c’mon Laura you can do it,” He came back with a few more cases & we drank until 7am and then I went to work. What a night!!!!
In May 1984 Susan graciously hosted Jon and my wedding reception at her house. She prepared food and cake and we had family & some of my friends from High school too. It was wonderful.
I remember Susan standing in the Lake Havasu emergency room as I was being transported by plane to the Phoenix Hospital to give birth to Summer. I was terrified & I remember her cheering me on & reassuring me that everything was going to be ok.
Cooking her famous Swiss steak w/mushroom gravy (delicious!!!)
