TheBanyanTree: Sharing the Story

[SarahAnne Hazlewood]

It is the practice in this tree to write for one
another.  This was written TO me, taking me to 
an event I could not attend.  With the permission 
of my dear friend, the author, I am sharing this
amazing story with you.  It is not my words, but 
it is to you - from my heart.

-sash
**************************************
Sue's Passing -- Thursday July 17th

Last night at the magical firefly time Susan & I 
went for a walk.  Get away. Fresh air.  Sunset.
We wound our way down Canterbury Lane into a 
cul-de-sac where a mom was bringing home pizza 
to her kids, past house after identical house 
until we came to a street that was different.  

Wide open fields and two story houses, a new 
school, a party on the deck, a welcome banner 
of indigo and yellow.  We wound and wound past 
a wilderness.  We kept going the same 
direction thinking we were walking in
a loop - we saw a cotton tailed bunny who 
led us then turned back.  

Fireflies danced all around.

We talked of our sorrow and joy and said prayers 
of letting go.  The conversation flowed and 
ebbed and we were comfortable in our silence.  
We came to a busy street and it was not the path 
we thought we were walking and so we turned back 
to recreate the path we had walked.  I saw the 
first star of the evening and made a wish for 
Sue.  Susan saw it too and I heard her mutter 
a prayer.  Hand in hand we laughingly turned 
around and began the journey back home.  

The same bunny greeted us in the same place and 
this time led us toward the path we were on.  I
thought it was Sue telling us it was time to 
get home.  

And a firefly landed on Susan's thumb and stayed 
with her for half the journey.

As we wound our way back we leaned into the 
comfort of the air and the possibilities.  
Lightning loomed, a couple passed by with 
umbrellas, a storm was ahead.  When we reached 
the house it was tranquil.  Susan went to give 
the medicine, Julie and Kate sat in the studio.
And I reached for the phone for one final task.
As I walked down the hall I heard a hoarse 
whisper - get in here.

I entered the room to see Kate on one side and 
Susan on the other.  Sue's eyes were opened.  
Julie flew into the room and our instructions
were "don't say a word".  Sue looked around as 
if acknowledging our presence.  Her eyes were 
clear and there was a look of awe.  It was as if 
she was able to see all the color in the universe.
She arched up for just a moment and sighed and 
rested.  Her eyes were still open in wonderment.
She looked so transfixed and peaceful.  A gasp, 
a rattle, her little chest rose up and like a 
rushing wind her spirit left her body.

It takes a while for the breath to leave, for 
the heart to give in.   I had such recognition 
when her body was just a shell.  Ru-ach, Holy 
Spirit, our eternal presence she let go.  She 
did not linger with us.  She was ready.  Susan 
whispered and comforted her.  Kate cried into 
the arms of relief.  Wonderment.  Spectacular 
grace.  Brilliant passage.  

I got to be the one to pray over her body.  And 
my prayer - receive the spirit of this most 
amazing woman.  A woman who stood up for herself 
and her beliefs.  I thanked God for the gifts 
she gave the world - her precious daughters.  
I asked that Sue paint us beautiful pictures 
of sunsets and Queens Anne's lace hovering in 
fields, and water lilies 

Unto You I commend this spirit - receive your 
child Sue and send her back soon.  Amen

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