Life is a funny thing. When everything is going crazy, you’re running from predawn to post-dusk with your hair on fire (well, if you have hair), that’s when you usually get thrown a curve ball and everything stops.
Got that curve ball yesterday.
A friend of mine, a fellow fountain pen aficionado, an Arizona gardener, homeschooler, fellow speaker of crazy accents, raiser of chickens, and dear sister in Christ passed away unexpectedly yesterday morning. She was only 43. By my clock it was much too soon.
My wife had the difficult task of telling some of our other friends and our boys. There were a lot of tears. My family went to their house and picked up their son, who is close in age to some of my boys. They spent the afternoon watching movies and being kids. One of my sons found an old, taped up whoopee cushion in the toy room and found all kinds of situations to make that inappropriate noise and get some much needed smiles and giggles. Love that kid.
I went over and spent a little while with several other people around Sue’s husband , Mark, reliving some good memories and talking about pictures, family, arrangements, food… all of those thing that you talk about when somebody passes. Mark was a champ through it all. Not surprising. He and Sue were a great couple that enjoyed dancing, exotic food, helping anybody, anyway possible, and teaching kids about Jesus. They mentored, they taught, they counseled, they loved. I’m sure this won’t stop my friend Mark from doing all of those things, but it will look a little different without his sweet wife by his side.
My heart breaks for their son. Moms are so important. Sue was a big part of what made their house a home. Her cooking filled the air with wonderful aromas, her Celtic songs rang from her phone, and proper grammar was consistently enforced.
She’ll be missed but not forgotten. She’s absent now, but not for good. We’ll see our sweet sister again soon.
Prayers for her husband and son are greatly appreciated.
God bless,
-Keith
The Jones Garden Blog 
Deepest condolences to you all on the loss of your friend.
Thank you.
Please accept my sympathies on the loss of a good friend. And, yes, that is way too young. May her husband and children find the strength to move on through their grief.
Thank you, Judy. I appreciate that.
Oh Keith, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. May God bless those who knew her and give them peace and comfort.
Sarah
Thanks, Sarah, it has been really remarkable that way that people have come around Mark and Brendan in the last couple of days. God gave us community for a good reason. It is really obvious in times like this.
Oh Keith this is indeed sad news. Oh so young….
May God bless Sue’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
I have included Sue’s loved ones in my prayers
xx
Thank you, Tania.
Well written friend. We are praying for Mark and the “man cub” as Sue so lovingly called him. We are also praying for those of you who are wrapping your arms around them.
Yes, man cub and Jedi Jr, I think was the latest. Sue had a way with humor and that mischievous smile. B and I will miss her a lot.
Oh, I’m sorry you lost your friend. Death out of season always seems harder somehow. And at 43, it’s definitely that.
Definitely. Thank you.
Deepest condolences to you all on the loss of your friend.
Thank you.
My condolences to all that knew your friend.
Thanks, Dave.
So sorry to hear this sad news.
Wow, So young! My Prayers are with you all! I understand your shock and grief! It sounds like she was greatly loved and loved greatly!
Thank you, and yes she was and she did.