MY FRIEND SUE's LEGACY : BE A KIND HUMAN

Who doesn't need a friend like Sue who took on the motto "Be a Kind Human" and creates the t-shirt to match with 3/4 sleeves no less (thank you very much) and then hands out pink noses to anybody who will don them? 

She gave me a bewildered look after I told her she was like a cat.  "You know, I swear you have nine lives." She chuckled and replied "Maybe so."  Sue was determined to fight her  breast cancer with an upbeat attitude and humor. She had projects to finish as a journalist and personal historian while still fighting injustice and finding the good in humanity...

Determination mandated her to continue her role as the First Grandmother EVER with the 'best' and 'greatest' grandchildren in the world who eventually did relinquish some of that kvelling to us other Bubbes, Nanas and Grandmas by creating a FB Kveller (Gushing Rights) Grannie group to share the nachas ( happiness). 

Although we belonged to the same congregation she wasn't into services. So, we didn't really get to know each other until she was recuperating after a double mastectomy in '09 when I dropped off some chicken and matzo ball soup (You know, the Jewish penicillin). Even this past month when her appetite waned, there was still a request for matzo ball soup. But, we shared much more than soup... 

Colleen, Yours Truly, Jodi, Jessica and Sue

We tried out and were cast in a play called 'Pirates of the Chemotherapy.' Its ticket proceeds went to the Norma J. Vinger Cancer Center. There were hours of laughter at rehearsals and overnights at Sue's house during icy winter night practices/ performances since she lived 'in town'. 

Sue was also cheering me on after the play when I participated in St Baldrick's fundraiser and had 12'' of hair chopped off for Locks of Love. As I was there for her when her hair would grow back and then fall out again after chemo and we had the mission of finding the right hat...

In between numerous protest marches both in La Crosse and Madison, we also were right up front to see Obama in Madison after helping to register voters... 

Here's to you Sue!

Just another protest march in Madison!

We shared monthly Saturday mornings at a local coffee shop with a Show 'N Tell group she initiated where folks arrived as strangers and left as friends...

Show & Tell

 Sue attended monthly Rosh Chodesh with me,  and even did a co ed program on the history of La Crosse's Jewish Community... 

Movie night with Rosh Chodesh ( Sue's top left)

Besides history, Sue also loved the stories of movies. We'd frequent either the $5 Tuesday matinee/ Senior Friday movies in addition to the Synagogue's winter movie nights where she was always insightful.  When the movie theater had to be avoided due to her treatments, I 'd go over to watch hours of movies while Herbie, her cat, played with my hair. Even her cat was a character!

Somewhere along the way we morphed into lunch buddies since the kitchen was her least favorite place. So out we went / I would pick something up when she didn't feel like going out... She loved her DQ blizzards! We had annual dates like delivering Meals on Wheels and celebrating each other's birthdays at Famous Dave's Bar-b-/que and their complimentary birthday dessert of bread pudding with fireworks. 

Sue's humorous attitude toward her disease helped all of us cope. So when an Ax Throwing party was 'thrown,'  it  seemed only natural for all of us to take out our frustrations  aiming our axes at a bull's eye picture of Cancer.

Everybody will attest to Sue's fierce competitive spirit- especially when you found out how many on-line Scrabble games she had going on all at once. 

Sue rarely was down. But eventually even the strongest gets tired and I knew a field trip was needed, something different. Thank goodness I had 2 options because the day of the excursion drizzle threatened the scrap metal sculpture garden option so we headed south. Sue started guessing places like a little kid, it was so funny. Every time I'd reply "No, that's not it,"  she'd try again. Fortunately it took her 20 miles to guess.  

It might be prudent for me to preface this field trip: Sue was given a nickname of 'Precious' and as she would remind everyone "Precious doesn't like to sweat," you knew being out of doors / living where I live in the middle of woods would not be her cup of tea. (I did hear about her 'glamping' experience but that was the extent of her desire after her kids's scouting days. ) 

OK, back to the field trip...Well, we finally arrived a little weary as it was a long car trip to somewhere she had never ever been before- a place touted "with the Best Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoor Gear by The World's Foremost Outfitter, a subsidiary of Bass Pro Shops,"

I had pre-arranged with the manager to give us the run of the place for a photo shoot starting out with her camouflage look. It was quite an adventure for Precious.

"Is camouflage my color?" she asked. 

Then, it was onto the aquarium where our fisherwoman geared herself  with just the right hat, vest and rod. 






Sure enough, there was a nibble.  






Sue's attention span could always be a bit challenging as off she went for another vehicle for a little more action... 

 Lookin' rugged indeed until she realized she didn't know where  where the brakes were!

On to deer hunting with just the perfect hunter's orange and spiffy camouflage vest for our gun toting deer hunter. 

"Has anybody seen that buck? "   

                                                     "It's so frustrating, he got away."



Time to drive on over to some water sports in a new hot ATV...

No worries, I've got this... Wait, does this boat have 4 wheel drive?

Isn't  this how you start the motor?

Paddlin' up the creek is going to take a while to get back home...

Whew, the manager arrived just in time, notifying us that Sue had been named 'Sportswoman of the Week'. Precious was one happy camper. She was even awarded her very own Cabela's hat.

 Oh Sue, you will be missed in so many ways by so many people, but never forgotten! 

                   Thanks for adding to all our life stories... 

*Here is the link to the shirt with Sue's handwriting. All proceeds will be donated to the La Crosse Historic Society: https://www.zazzle.com/be_a_kind_human_t_shirt-235354782213679869