Farewell Dear Susannah

It hasn't been the best week - we are all quite heartbroken by the loss of this beautiful lady who lost her battle with Breast Cancer a week ago today. Susannah will always be loved and missed. She will always hold a very special place in my heart.
She was such a huge role model and encourager to my daughter Sarah in her teenage years. In fact, Sarah and two of her friends would meet with Susannah every Sunday afternoon - they would often have a bible study together - she was someone their own age, someone whom they felt comfortable with, someone they could open up with and share with. She had a wonderful gift of listening. Her life and testimony had a huge impact on the faith of these now grown woman. Sarah really looked forward to these get togethers. The girls would usually stay for dinner with both Rob and Susannah. I know how much Sarah appreciated the friendship they both had. One of the things that touched her deeply was that when they got married, Susannah travelled for 14 hours on a bus with a six week old baby just to attend her wedding.

Susannah had a vibrant faith - she is now free from pain - she was not afraid to die, for to Susannah that meant being in the presence of Her Lord. It is those of us left behind that feel the sadness, her lovely husband and her two beautiful daughter. My heart breaks for them - I know how much my daughter loved and appreciated the input Susannah had into her life, and I feel very sad that her beautiful girls will not grow up having her daily presence in their life.

Her memorial service is being held in Emerald tomorrow - I am sure it will be huge. Sarah flew home this morning, so we will head out this afternoon. I am sure it will be a day of very mixed emotions - sadness that Susannah is no longer with us but also a celebration of her wonderful life even if it were cut way too short.

When We Remember

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile,
open your eyes,
love
and go on.
Author Unknown

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4.13-17