For Susan

I'm not quite sure when or how I was virtually introduced to Susan. I met up with her friend (and now mine) Marty on my long drive from Philadelphia to Atlanta and she told me that they were both from Mississippi.

"And you read my blog?" I asked, which at the time was not full of high praise for the Southern state.

I joked that Susan was probably the best and smartest thing to ever come out of that state.

*****

A few years ago I wrote a post about my boobs (shocking, I know) whining about their post-partum state.

Little did I know how they'd be after a couple more kids.

And amidst the virtual nods of agreement, there was a comment from Susan.

"At least you have breasts," she said.

Admittedly, I was completely taken aback. She was right; I was lucky to even have breasts to complain about.

*****

I know she wasn't feeling well but Susan came out to my DC book signing a couple of years ago, at a pole dancing studio of all places.

We spun and fell. She watched and laughed.

We all did.

*****

I don't think it's possible to live every minute being reminded that we are lucky to have what we have, because we are human, after all. I believe it's fair to have those moments of self-pity and hopelessness because it's in those moments that we get the opportunity to rise up. Overcome.

We wouldn't be able to look at ourselves and say "I'm lucky to be standing here with my floppy post partum belly and uneven breasts."

To see our children, our lives and say "This life is hard. And redundant. And exhausting. But thank God I have it."

*****

To know Susan is a gift that makes me want to live more admirably, with a grateful, inquisitive spirit, as a parent. And a person.

I'm not perfect.

I still sometimes complain about my uneven boobs.

But then I toss them over my shoulder and go on my merry way.

Thankful.

Love to you and your family, Susan.

Comments

[Theresa]

Life sure can be unfair and suck sometimes. Praying for peace to find your friend and all she loves. Hugs

[Dwijayasblog]

I bet Susan has a good personality and worth to enviable. And my dear, no body is perfect, just try to love yourself and your life.

[Mom101]

Thank you for saying a lot of what I have not been able to this week.

[Karen SIma]

Sometimes we need to step back and look at ourselves. You are right life is not perfect, and I complain a lot. I love those moments where I can stand back and really examine myself and how lucky I am to have such a blessed life.

[Karen (Submommy)]

I only know of Susan through your blog, Kristen, but she has provided a dearth of inspiration not only to me, but to my daughter, who loves science. I've referred to Susan's list of women in planetary science more than once to show my daughter that if she can dream it, she can be it.

I hope that she and her family have peace.

[marty]

Susan introduced me to blogging when she forwarded me the post you wrote about playing the Mississippi State fight song in a string quartet at someone's wedding. I didn't even know what a blog was before I read that post. I laughed until I peed my pants, and that was my pre baby bearing bladder.

I asked her for more blog links, and we started reading you, Julie, Catherine, Amy, and a few others together. Then, we started our own blogs to keep up with each others daily lives instead of having to have marathon phone calls a few times a month.

Then, before Blogher 2007, right before she started chemo for the first time, I started TeM Whymommy. You were the first blogger with a far reaching audience to get on board, and I credit you for the quick expansion and wide spread sharing of her story.

So, tech ically, I could point at you and say, "you started this". :)

I'm really glad you did.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

Holding her close to my heart.

So nicely said, K.

[Thrift Store Mama]

Well said. Thanks for validating that it's okay to whine and complain sometimes, and it doesn't mean that we care about whyMommy any less.

[Julie Marsh]

Susan offers such inspiration and perspective. Lucky to have her in our lives.

[Redneck Mommy]

Yes. Magic. Perspective. Susan has given us much and I'm very grateful for all of it.

[amy turn sharp]

yes. I feel like I can't think abut much else this week. xo We are all her. We are all the same. Thanks for always spreading your love too K. xo

[kyran]

Perspective is such a gift. Thanks for passing it along. xo

[Amelia Sprout]

Magic. I like that. Love to her, her family, and as close to a prayer as an atheist gets.

[Rita Arens]

Amen.

[Amanda]

Ever so magic, Susan and all she's given so many of us.

[Jackie @JackieSTaylor]

Yes.