Crying my eyes out, Sudsy is dead

[lilybp]

Thanks so much Riannon and SD. Played the Kinks. Rest in Peace, sunny Sudsy.

[smelly dolly]

Hello lovely people,

An update re Susan from Smelly Dolly:

Susan's funeral went as well as these things can. There were more people there than anyone expected and happily most of them came back to our house later to share more love for our dear friend.
There were flowers everywhere, many with those beautiful lillies, and so there was much sniffing from crying and collective hay-fever at this time of the year in W.A!

Gary was understandably very hesitant about attending a viewing, but we all encouraged him, as the last time he saw Sudsy is not the best thing memories are made of. We are very proud of him as he did bravely see her and it definitely helped him.

He stayed at our house on Friday night and into Saturday. After he got home late Saturday his daughter took him to the hospital as he was complaining of chest pain from the injury. They took x-rays, and he is healing okay, albeit slowly. They counselled him for an hour for his emotional pain and have arranged on-going professional counselling for him. Last night he sounded the best to me since this sad happening, and I slept a little better last night. It will be a labour of love for some time for us with Gary.

Some of Susan's family came over from Canada: her son and his fiancee and her brother and his daughter. They will be staying with us for a couple of days. They are beautiful people! Her son was 'gutted' as he hadn't seen Susan for some time and was looking forward to seeing her for his upcoming wedding. He is only 23 and showed remarkable maturity. I think my husband wants to adopt him!!

The funeral house were fantastic, and went the extra mile in a number of ways, including taking the family for a drive after the funeral to see kangaroos and their baby joeys, and to a park where wild parrots sit on your outstretched arms and take food from your hand. It gave them some lovely photo opportunities and some 'nature's calming' after the service.

I mentioned the basenotes site and all you lovely people in the service. It was as positive and we could muster, just as Susan would have wanted.

I hope this doesn't upset anyone, but I thought you should all know how it went, after all your support and out-pouring of love. One thing is certain: it has demonstrated this quote from John Evelyn:
"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of the world"

How true, how wonderful!!!

Thank-you to you all
Lots of love
Smelly Dolly xxxxx

[Eluard]

Thanks so much for this SD. It sounds as though Susan's husband is in very caring hands. Thank you for updating us.

best

El.

[rtamara41]

thank you so much for this detailed update. it does the soul some good to hear of it.

Renee

[Otto]

Once again Smelly Dolly.....a heart felt 'Thanks' for the update. I will continue to pray for Gary and the family and for you and your family as well.....You sound like an amazing woman yourself and Gary is certainly blessed to have someone stand with and by him in this great hour of transition. Your far-reaching love will certainly bring much comfort.

Somewhere down the road we will have to do something as a Testament to the memory of Susan..but that will be for another time...

Well continued strength flow to you and all concerned during these times.

Peace,

Otto

[Riannon]

My dear amazing L, thank you for the courage to keep us all informed in this difficult time.
It was a comfort to read that the funeral was beautiful and that you and your husband are giving so much love and support to Gary and Susan's family.

Your quote "Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of the world" is something many of us have felt in these sad days. Somehow losing Susan made us even more aware of the precious gift of human friendship and kindness.

Susan will be remembered. And all who were dear to her.

[BrothaG]

Dolly, thanks indeed for keeping us updated so well. You've been really kind. Wishing the very best to you all.

[Divatologist]

Smelly Dolly thank you for keeping us up to date on Sudsy (Susan). Please wrap your arms around her family as you have been doing these past few days. They are very lucky to have you there. I will continue to pray for them.

[Magnolia]

My heart just sank ....I have been absent for way too long, and I hate I did not get to know Sudsy better.

These are the kinds of things that hit me very hard, and they are always a reminder to me to live, love, laugh....even when I don't feel like it.

God rest her soul, and one big hug around the world from me to her family and friends.

[purplebird7]

It's hard not wanting to reply to her previous posts, you know?
I catch myself...
Take care of us, Sudsy.
Thanks for the follow-through Smelly Dolly.

[maisonstinky]

Once again, thank you so much for the update SD. So glad it went well and that Gary is doing better.

[Shycat]

I add my thanks, Dolly. It's better reading and knowing how things are going. It gives me a little closure here on the other side of the world, since I couldn't be there in person. Again, thanks so much.

[smelly dolly]

Hello friends,

An update from smelly dolly,

It had been a while, so I thought I would just 'touch base' with all you lovely people.

Sudsy's husband Gary is travelling much better now. He was in the 'grey mist' for a while there, but now attends a bereavement group every Tuesday night and has met some truly wonderful and inspiring people who have now become friends, as a result. The sporting club where Gary and Susan went are having an annual Sudsy's day in honour. Gary was initially going to move out of their house straight away as the whole home is full of 'Susan', lots of beautiful, genuine, antique pieces of china she used to collect, and of course bottle after bottle of 'liquid gold'. He has now however, moved far enough forward to bet comforted by these things instead, and will probably stay. His daughter Courtney, a wonderfu girl, has moved in with him for company and they are getting closer as a bonus result. Susan got on very well with Courtney, so she will be pleased.

I didn't want to just 'break off' with everyone without talking to you further. Please all stay happy and rest assured your contribution over the last few weeks has been uncalculable!! May the wonderful spirit that binds all your souls seep out in ever increasing circles to encompass everyone!!

Lots of love
Smelly Dolly (Lavinia) xxxxx

[Riannon]

Dear Lavinia, thank you again for taking the effort to keep us informed.

Speaking for myself: Susan is not forgotten and every day I miss her cheerful posts. So full of life that when you read old posts again it is almost impossible to believe she is now gone.

It is good to hear that Gary probably will stay in the house he shared with Susan. I hope he will find comfort in everything that represented Susan and in the company of his daughter.
You are a wonderful friend to help him through this horrible time.

Love and a hug back at you, my dear.

[Sorcery of Scent]

Yes Lavinia, I also thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Stay safe, and love one another
Dimitri.

[rtamara41]

Thank you, Lavinia, for your comforting update.
It generates some lovely images and good thoughts.

Renee

[Quarry]

Sounds like Gary is advancing as well as we could hope. You're a lovely soul to think of us out here in the ethers of the internet. Thank you for bringing us many comforts, Lavinia.

[Renato]

Good Lord - I missed this thread while I was away.
I remember her wishing me well when I was posting from Berlin.
This is extremely sad news.
Renato

[maisonstinky]

Good to know that Gary is doing well , Lavinia. Thanks for the update.

[Otto]

Hey Lavinia,

Profound Thanks to you for your continued updates. I really feel the family connection when I read them. I never met Sudsy or any of you in person but I feel like I have. Don't know quite how that works but there it is...

Continued prayers given up to you all in this transition time.

Peace,

Otto

[Indiscreet]

Thanks for the update - it's good to hear Gary is doing better. I'm glad he is making friends. When one door closes, a window opens.

[Kyra]

Dear (and indeed very dear) Lavinia,

Bless you for keeping in touch. And if it doesn't pain you too much, remember you are always welcome here to play as well.

K.

[jasper_244]

Thanks again from me as well SD - I am pleased to hear that Gary is doing OK - I haven't checked in here for a while and I'm touched that this thread is still going strong - but not surprised at all. Warmest wishes - Ed

[Aiona]

Blow a bubble, let it go
Bubbles don't last long you know
Blow a bubble, let it free
Bubbles last long enough for me

The colors swirl in slow cascade
Bubbles don't have time to fade
Watch the bubbles float and drift
A gentle pleasure is their gift

They reflect the colors of a dream
Wings of faeries gowns of queens
Shine and sparkle, then they're gone
Like dreams that meet the light of dawn

Colors drift before my eyes
Try to catch them as they fly
The sparkle fills me with a song
I know they won't be here for long

Bubbles, you have to understand
You can't hold one in your hand
Bubbles are meant to fly away
Just sometimes, I wish they'd stay

Watch the bubbles as they fly
Watch the bubbles, wonder why
A simple thing, so much delight
To see them in their aimless flight

See a bubble, see it end
Know it will come back again
You can make bubbles anywhere
Let them fly so free from care

by Matthew Lewis (c) 1988

[Grant]

Thank you Aiona

I think many of us here today would have had a thought or two about 'Sudsy'.

We will always remember you.

[Sorcery of Scent]

I awoke this morning with Suds on my mind. I cant imagine what might have made my thoughts turn to her today, but here we are one year on.
Suds was a wonderful woman who embodied the Basenotes spirit. Her positive effect can still be felt here - she was a phenomenal contributor, and wonderful person to know here.

Lots of love, Suds!

[leor_77]

I actually missed this whole story...Such a horrible thing to happen. I hope she is in peace.

[Riannon]

Maybe it is good to give a link to yesterday's SotD where we remembered our Sudsy.

[knightowl]

It's a great thing that her enthusiastic posts still live on here on BN. I never corresponded with her, but her cheery disposition always made my day a little brighter

[jasper_244]

I still miss you Susan, and think of you often. Such a wonderful spirit gone too soon. I wore pamplelune today. It was my grandfathers funeral, another great soul missing. Gary my thoughts are with you at this time. All the best Ed