But there was something more about Sue, something much
deeper, more profound, pure and yet so simple. I bore witnessed to the many
times she gently stretched out her hand and spiritually held people who were
suffering and in emotional pain. She warmly welcomed them into her home and
into her heart. A place to sleep, nutritious food and a mandatory listening
to her wisdom and insights into living through suffering and pain. Some of
us here today are some of those people Sue welcomed into her heart and inspired
to grow. At times some of the people she attempted to help were not ready
for what Sue had to offer and they hurt her. Sue felt that pain deeply such
was her simple belief that all people are good. But this never stopped Sue.
She never feared being 'hurt' by others. She would gather her self together
and the journey would commence again and she would stretch out her hand with
the same passion, trust and faith. And that is where her uniqueness lies,
in her unwavering trust and belief in the 'goodness' of all people. Her heart
had no boundaries.
I have known Sue for many, many years, although we
couldn't quite agree on the year we first met. I was fortunate to be intimately
involved in Sue's last few weeks of her life and privileged to be part of
Sue's journey from this world to the next. I would like to share with you
some of those moments, as I promised Sue I would do. Not that she would let
me get away with it as she often commanded me to "get a piece of paper
and write".
During this last hospitalisation Sue continued her
valiant fight for life. Constantly reminding us she knew what her body needed.
After all she said "I've taken care of it for 38 years". This puzzled
the medical staff as they questioned her acceptance of her inevitable death.
The doctors asked me "does Sue understand that she is dying?" They
didn't understand Sue. Sue knew that she was going to die but as far as she
was concerned she wasn't dying, that was to passive.
Sue was to busy living. For Sue loved life. She savoured
every moment of her existence. She truly lived and kept talking, giving advice
instructions and pearls of wisdom almost right up to the very end. She lived
with every breath. As she often said, "I am alive, and living is wonderful".
When Sue decided that her 'work' was done and she could
trust in the belief that we would continue her work she announced to Sue's
mother, Irene, and I that it was time, time for her to die. Irene and I sat
by her side, holding her hand, telling her stories of past summer holidays,
the colour of the sky, the hopes and dreams for the future, of babies and
laughter. She would listen and relax, and chastise us if we let go of her
hand. She knew what was important.
In between the requests of pineapple juice, pure water
and coughing, Sue would talk in soft and breathless whispers. "Remember
to tell everyone be proud of who you are, trust in life, trust
in the process of life and all will be well".
"I am not leaving you, I will always be with you
all, just in a different way". Her spirit was strong, it kept her body and
soul alive for 38 years and her spirit still lingers with us today.
At another time she opened her eyes widely and with
every ounce of energy she could muster she said, "Anna you know dying isn't
difficult. In fact it's rather easy. You will understand when it is your turn.
It is beautiful". She then closed her eyes and rested for a moment
longer.
With another breath she said "the
essence of my existence is love", the essence of my existence is love"
Again another pause, a time to rest. Her final words
"Remember
Anna",. The solution to the worlds problems is the
knowledge and the understanding that we are all interconnected"
" THAT WE ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED".
And she repeated this over and over again until I believe that she was sure
that I would remember. The solution to the worlds problems is the
knowledge and the understanding that we are all interconnected"
Sue then asked to be made comfortable, reminded us
to 'hold her' and gently closed her eyes and drifted peacefully from this
world to the next. As always with dignity and grace and a cheeky grin.
What mattered most to Sue was family and friends. She
called us all "Her community". And that community meant everything
to Sue, her circle of life. The essence of Sue's existence is love and she
has shown us that we are all interconnected.
Sue was and is my friend. Sue I love you. I love you
with all my heart, with the essence of my being. Thank you Sue for your inspiration,
for your love and your friendship. Thankyou for all that you have given me,
for all that you have taught me, for all that you have done for humanity.
Rest now for a while. Though I know that you are still with me, I shall deeply,
deeply miss you.