It’s Spring Break this week and the boys are romping and stomping – enjoying every minute of their free time. I, on the other hand, can’t sleep, have a heavy heart and am shedding tears…often.
You see, my dear friend lost her battle with cancer on Friday morning.
Susan Birdsong was amazing! She was that girl who was friends to everyone and everyone wanted to be her friend. I swear I think there are about a million people in the world who would call her their best friend.
No matter where she lived – Houston, Cedar Park, North Carolina, or suburban Chicago – Susan touched those around her with her infectious laughter, her sincerity and her keen ability to make others feel special.
I should know. She was my first friend in Cedar Park because she was my next door neighbor. That was in 1997.
Our friendship started with a few “hi’s” and grew quickly into a glass of wine, sitting in the driveway. (Yep. That’s how we do things on Eclipse Cove!)
I bullied her into running with me in the wee-hours of the morning and hence, started our days with long talks about life, husbands, jobs, and everything else under the sun.
Then one day I asked her to join me in my search to find a church home. I have no idea why I asked her to assist and strangely she said yes.
We visited Bethany United Methodist Church and never left. From there – we started our faith journey. And what a trip it has been!!
Between books, classes, services, Alpha and a Walk to Emmaus, Susan and I matured from next door neighbors to sisters in Christ.
So, even though I am terribly sad that she is gone, I know where she is.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24
In her honor, I’d like to share a poem I wrote for her on September 30, 2010. Susan was awesome!! I know it’s an over-used word, but it just fits because she was AWESOME!
SHE’S MORE THAN CANCER She’s a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend She’s a wife and a lover with a heart on the mend It’s been broken, you see, by an ugly old ass Don’t mean to offend. Don’t mean to be crass It’s cancer, this thief, which takes young and old Touches its claws on the meek and the bold Comes out of the dark and cuts like a knife Bloodies and breaks, trying to shatter her life She struggles to escape the shock of her plight She races to be free of this horror and fright The battle is on. Make no mistake There’s no way in hell, her soul, will it take The more that she hears, the madder she gets What do you mean? She can’t keep her breasts? Oh goodness, you say, you think it might spread Will she end up with cancer from toes to her head? Cancer started this war, but will not succeed Chains cannot bind a heart that’s been freed She can laugh, she can tease, she can love, she can shout She will fight all the way without any doubt Her family deserves the best that she’s got Refusing to fail, she’ll give all things a shot There’s many like her who’ve gone down this road God’s courage and strength help her carry her load Her life is much more than a disease in her chest She’s living today, let’s forget all the rest God only knows where her story might end Today she will smile, surrounded by the love of her friends.
I LOVE YOU, SUSAN!
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
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