Dear Susan, I will miss you.......

I just found out my friend Susan passed away the other night......she had been deeply suffering, so part of it was merciful.......but I had hoped with all of my heart that her health would be restored.....and today's blog is for her.....I met Susan when I first started dating my ex husband......he took me to her restaurant at the time, and we clicked fast....she was the mother of one of his friends also, and his roommate at the time.....and Susan and I just meshed in an unlikely way....being opposite in so many ways, but sharing some commonalities that bound us together......and over the years our lives circled round.....and circled in places where we were connected......she was always so supportive of me, and my life and interested in it all,,....and I loved to hear about what she was up to.....we worked in a company together for a couple of years....and really enjoyed that....spending time strategizing our side hustle and moving ourselves forward.....And we stayed in touch after we both decided to move on from that.....and then enter in my divorce.....and Susan was right there......having gone through that herself....and she was so supportive....becoming one of the first people to avidly read this blog....and she read it every day....love my loyal band of ladies that continue to read, all these years later xoxo.....and she was one of them....and so we would text from time to time, or grab a phone chat.....and there was something so solid about her.....steadfast....she was so strong.....and brave.....having been through so many trials of her own in her life.....she had a deep faith in God, and that is what kept her afloat often.......she was gritty and tough, and matter of fact, and determined.....she was kind,,,,and loving...,and so much of so much.......authentically herself every moment.....never sugarcoating or faking anything.......she was an incredible cook, making the most delicious food.....and her love of her family ran through her veins......just coursing through them.....it is what drove her in every step she took.......loving her family, and her children, and her grandchildren.......she had lost her dad earlier back down the road, and it was a wound that stayed with her,,,she adored him, and wrote a book and had it published, and I was honored that she shared it with me......it was a lovely tribute to him.....and she was a person I shared my manuscript with too....my one that is still working its way to completion, she gave me great feedback and suggestions....and then last year she hit some major health complications....and they just spiraled and continued to spiral......and when I spoke to her the frustration was deep and wide, and my heart for her ached,,,.because all she wanted was for her health to be restored, so that she could be the mom and grandma she wanted to be......and so this morning my heart feels heavy.....one part of me knowing that her reunion with her parents was probably one of the most beautiful things, in all of the ways, and I love that part for her, and that her suffering has ended.....but aching for the loss of her to the people that loved her so much....I am so grateful for you Susan, as I type this with tears in my eyes.......you were such a good friend to me, and I appreciate all of it...all of the times you cared about me and my life.....and put effort into reading this blog, and messaging me, or texting about it....cheering me on and supporting me endlessly..........I will never forget you......never....and I will carry you in my heart as I journey on.....Thank you for being my friend, the ride or die kind....they are rare and beautiful, and so were you......rest in peace Susan......you were loved indeed........xoxox