Today I found out that Susan, the amazing cancer fighting warrior woman, died last night.

Susan died tonight (August 5) at 7:25pm. It was a hard, long day, and Susan fought right to the end, for much longer than anyone would have thought she could.

My mom, my sisters Kellene and Jodi, and my Brother-in-Law Rocky were all here to support my family as Susan passed away.

…

Susan’s part in the battle is over, but she didn’t lose. She led the charge. She showed the rest of us how to fight: with determination, focus, creativity, and outrageous endurance.

Now it’s up to the rest of us to Fight Like Susan.

There are so many things about cancer that I don’t know–but Elden documenting Susan’s fight made clear: mothers are still mothers even when they can’t talk and don’t remember where they’re at. Partnerships and relationships are what keep a person grounded when s/he is in the worst pain. How many women are dying without the loving support and tenderness of dear family surrounding them? What really matters to women when they can’t move, can’t talk, can’t think?

So SO much more.

Please try to spend some time reflecting today on loved ones, on yourselves. Our lives are so short…it takes courage to face yourself and your mortality.

Courage.

ETA: a beautiful post by Kent over at Kent’s Bike Blog