I have to show you something...

Wednesday~August 5th, 2009

I have this amazing friend. I met her right here in my kitchen almost two years ago. She is one of those people that has this way about her, a grace and charm I wish I had the words to describe. She inspires, that's what she does, not only with her paintings and writings, but simply by being who she is. She's beautiful, with her radiating smile and heart. On top of all that, she's the kind of woman that is so down to earth and real, you can't even hate her for all that other stuff. She just gets you, with her open mind and sensitive spirit.

I've gotten to know this woman through her words, and even though we've never met outside the computer in my kitchen, I love her.

I want to tell you (and show you) what she did for my family.

I go out to dinner with my Great Aunt Elsie, my Great Uncle Keith, and my Auntie Kay about every other week. I don't know that many people are all that close to their Great Aunts and Uncles, but the road we've traveled as a family has given us the gift of friendship. It was Elsie and Keith that spent many a Sunday with Auntie Kay and I, visiting my Grandpa in the nursing home as his mind failed. They would sing to him and laugh with him even when he didn't understand the joke. They would feed him ice cream and hold his hand. Elsie is my Grandpa's sister, and she was always so proud of him, telling me stories of their childhood and rarely missing a visit.

Elsie and Keith are an example to me with the way they live and love. Last year, when their hearts were broken by tragedy, my heart broke for them. Their daughter Susan died suddenly, tragically leaving behind (not intentionally) her parents, three brothers, and three sons.

As time passed after the funeral last summer, I would see the sadness in their faces and I wanted to do something that would bring them some joy. I got to thinking about a way to remember Sue, a memoriam of some kind. I knew that Elsie and Keith had named her Susan after the flower, so it simply made sense to ask my talented blog friend what she thought about a Black-Eyed Susan painting.

At first I asked if I should maybe attempt a painting myself, even if I'm quite the novice. I wasn't hinting that she should do it, I wanted only her advice.

But then she offered to do the painting for Elsie and Keith.

Yes, she did.

I jumped up and down when that flat package arrived the other day. Then I sat through dinner with Elsie and Keith, their son Craig and his wife Kelly, and Auntie Kay. I had gotten the painting framed and it was waiting in the car. I was entirely too nervous, I think because I knew how much this would mean to them, so I blathered on that I had something in the car for them, something to remember Sue, and I started to cry.



This is why:

Black-Eyed Susan, by Charrette

It's just plain perfect.



They thought so too...

Elsie and Keith ~ August, 2009

Look at those faces. They miss Sue so much, and now they have this beautiful reminder to hang in their home, to always remember her beauty. I don't think I can describe what this moment was like, the first time Elsie and Keith laid eyes on these Black-Eyed Susans. I don't know if I can do it justice, so I won't try. But I will take the time to thank my friend, "Charrette." Lady, you have done such a beautiful thing.

Thank you.


(If you've been visiting this blog long, you may remember I've mentioned what we would name a girl if we are blessed with one someday. Yes. Elsie. Now you know why. She's just too lovely to NOT have a namesake.)