Late as ever. I love your memorial to Susie. It brought back so many things that I’m quite overwhelmed by it. I was writing a response to a poem of Li Po’s when I read it and was reminded of a letter I sent her while she was in California in which, amidst all sorts of opinion bluster intellectual posturing politics Peterheid gossip and books and music and poetry, I wrote a couple of pages raving about the compact resonance that is Li Po’s poetry (whom I’d just discovered). I was delighted she enjoyed him too. So here’s my version which seemed appropriate to me and I hope to you
because Susie loved Janis Joplin singing "Summer Time" and so did I and when we first met that was a link to overcome the intense shyness between us....
I celebrate Susie through your love and respect for her. Through your beautiful living words for her. LOVE the sound of her. Love to you and family. To life. x
I was remembering the Bridge Street flat. And parties at Lathocker. And the wolf-whistling men campaign.
Not to mention the ridiculous issues leading to weekly tinned custard (oh, sorry I just did mention it)
She was an educator to us all - pointing out truths which were new to us then, absolutely obvious to us now. And not just her voice - she had an lovely laugh too. Her spirit lives on within us.
You are an amazing educator too, though. I remember a confused young me asking and receiving your counsel as an older and wiser (at least a year older) in the Whey Pat, I think it was. Important to me at the time - but you'll have forgotten it by now! Love to see you in Inverness sometime.
Thank you dear Chris. I think the last time I was in St Andrews the Whey Pat was still open. By some miracle....
I'm glad I was wise and said helpful things. I never felt the slightest bit wise!
And Susie's laugh was truly wonderful...
My daughter Rebecca and grandchildren live on the Black Isle so I come to see them. I wouldn't see often, I don't see them nearly as often as I would like. But it would be lovely to see you somehow at the same time....xxx
Yes indeed, I was remembering Rebecca stayed in this area. Involved with a community woodland purchase last time I heard I think? Anyway maybe we could meet while you were in town awaiting a bus for the Black Isle. Say when - you'll have my email, I assume. (Or f/b messenger)
It’s incredible how much of a positive impact Susie made on the world, during her relatively short life, that was so tragically cut short. I especially love that she was a great “shake em upper”, and for all the right reasons. Her principles and creativity live on through you and her beautiful daughters, Jo.
Dear Jo, What a magical tribute to Susie. Thank you. A celebration of a wonderful and gifted friend, and of a particular span of time that shaped us in ways it is easy to forget. The last time I saw her, in hospital, she was bemoaning the fact that she couldn’t eat chocolate (because of what it did to her digestion) when it should have been a time to have just what she wanted - she could see the silly side of things right to the end. Much love to you, Helen
Thank you so much for that Jo. As I read your piece I can hear Susie's voice so clearly in my ear. She was a mentor to so many of us in so many ways. Thank you.
Thank you, dear Marcus. I'm glad we've reconnected too... hope to be in Bristol quite soon and maybe we can really meet again, too. Hope you're continuing to recover...lots of love xx
This is so beautiful. I never met her but feel that I have now . Thank you x
Thank you dear Jo xxxx
This taught me so much about her, I loved it and I love you. I’m so, so lucky to have been raised by you both xxxx
Love you too. And she would be so very very proud of you xxxx
Late as ever. I love your memorial to Susie. It brought back so many things that I’m quite overwhelmed by it. I was writing a response to a poem of Li Po’s when I read it and was reminded of a letter I sent her while she was in California in which, amidst all sorts of opinion bluster intellectual posturing politics Peterheid gossip and books and music and poetry, I wrote a couple of pages raving about the compact resonance that is Li Po’s poetry (whom I’d just discovered). I was delighted she enjoyed him too. So here’s my version which seemed appropriate to me and I hope to you
For Susie
Efter Li Po
Fae some gate en bit nae richt near at han
a han is pluckin oot a melody
that owerhings the roch souch o the win,
the shingelt soum o sea, baith wheeshtit
by its jingelt voice at’s fleein hine abeen
syne threidit aa throw eenanither files
I’m mindit by iss midnicht sang o livin
in easyoasy bluesy simmer’s time
that fashes me wi thochts o gerdens tint
an left ahin lang syne by me. An you …
Thank you dear Alistair. That's really beautiful.
I so especially love the line
in easyoasy bluesy simmer’s time
because Susie loved Janis Joplin singing "Summer Time" and so did I and when we first met that was a link to overcome the intense shyness between us....
To life, Jo. To life.
I celebrate Susie through your love and respect for her. Through your beautiful living words for her. LOVE the sound of her. Love to you and family. To life. x
I was remembering the Bridge Street flat. And parties at Lathocker. And the wolf-whistling men campaign.
Not to mention the ridiculous issues leading to weekly tinned custard (oh, sorry I just did mention it)
She was an educator to us all - pointing out truths which were new to us then, absolutely obvious to us now. And not just her voice - she had an lovely laugh too. Her spirit lives on within us.
You are an amazing educator too, though. I remember a confused young me asking and receiving your counsel as an older and wiser (at least a year older) in the Whey Pat, I think it was. Important to me at the time - but you'll have forgotten it by now! Love to see you in Inverness sometime.
Thank you dear Chris. I think the last time I was in St Andrews the Whey Pat was still open. By some miracle....
I'm glad I was wise and said helpful things. I never felt the slightest bit wise!
And Susie's laugh was truly wonderful...
My daughter Rebecca and grandchildren live on the Black Isle so I come to see them. I wouldn't see often, I don't see them nearly as often as I would like. But it would be lovely to see you somehow at the same time....xxx
Yes indeed, I was remembering Rebecca stayed in this area. Involved with a community woodland purchase last time I heard I think? Anyway maybe we could meet while you were in town awaiting a bus for the Black Isle. Say when - you'll have my email, I assume. (Or f/b messenger)
It’s incredible how much of a positive impact Susie made on the world, during her relatively short life, that was so tragically cut short. I especially love that she was a great “shake em upper”, and for all the right reasons. Her principles and creativity live on through you and her beautiful daughters, Jo.
Xx
Thank you Dot. She was truly amazing! xx
This piece is deeply, deeply moving. I only met Susie once (I think) but you bring her magnificently to life. A beautiful memorial and tribute
Thank you dear Joe xxxx
Such a poignant and powerful tribute to a wonderful woman and a life well lived and loved. x
What an amazing tribute dear Jo!
Much love! xx
Dear Jo, What a magical tribute to Susie. Thank you. A celebration of a wonderful and gifted friend, and of a particular span of time that shaped us in ways it is easy to forget. The last time I saw her, in hospital, she was bemoaning the fact that she couldn’t eat chocolate (because of what it did to her digestion) when it should have been a time to have just what she wanted - she could see the silly side of things right to the end. Much love to you, Helen
You're right, dear Helen. How she laughed...! xxxx
So beautiful Jo - you have really captured her infectious love for life. Thank you
Thank you dear Elizabeth. And she never lost that love for life....xxx
Thank you so much for that Jo. As I read your piece I can hear Susie's voice so clearly in my ear. She was a mentor to so many of us in so many ways. Thank you.
Dear Chris, wasn't she amazing? And all of a sudden I'm remebering that flat in Church St.....xxx
I am glad I knew her, even if not closely. And getting to reconnect with you has also reconnected me to those times. Love life and love love!
Thank you, dear Marcus. I'm glad we've reconnected too... hope to be in Bristol quite soon and maybe we can really meet again, too. Hope you're continuing to recover...lots of love xx
Her memory is indeed a blessing for all of us. X
Thank you, dear Marion. She still lives on in so many ways...
Hope you're continuing to get better...xxxx