Suzy

I have a friend. She is a strong woman who has always lived life to the fullest, enjoying each moment. Always smiling. She cares about everything, everyone. She is an amazing mother to a beautiful two year old little girl. A little girl she carried for five months without knowing, and was ecstatic when she discovered what was causing her stomach to expand. She welcomed this little girl into life as if it was the most natural thing she had ever done. Motherhood agrees with my friend, always has, and she quickly became the best friend and confidant of this little girl. Since little Morgan was born, these two have been attached at the hip. Morgan only has eyes for one person, her momma. We used to have dinner, Morgan would come and charm us both with her ability to eat rice off the table without hands. Morgan loved the cats at my house, and talked about them weeks after she visited. We once took Morgan to take professional portraits. I think my friend and I had more fun than Morgan did. We laughed and laughed and laughed. That's pretty normal though. She loves to laugh. When Morgan learned my name, she would say it with such inflection, copying her mom. She has so much energy, so much life. Just like her mom.

Last year, my friend announced she was pregnant a second time. She joked about naming the baby Bear Hunter. She was so excited to meet this little boy, and we spent some great afternoons joking about other names that she could pick to rival that of Hunter, when matched with Bear. She was thrilled to have a son, and to give Morgan a baby brother (whether or not Morgan wanted a brother didn't seem to be of concern). She was so excited to take a trip this summer with her newborn and her toddler, and her husband. She suggested a road trip even. We all thought she was nuts, two babies on a trip like that, but she was all about planning. She loves being a mom, and is one of the best moms I have ever known.

Suzy gave birth to 8lb 14oz Bear Thomas on Sunday. We joked about Suzy, as happy-go-lucky as she was, arriving at the hospital almost completely dilated, having a completely smooth delivery, and birthday a huge baby. I bet she didn't break a sweat. She brought him home from the hospital on Tuesday. And this morning, she passed away.

Suzy leaves behind two amazing children and a huge group of family and friends who loved her, and will continue to love and care for her babies. Because, above anything else, that is what Susie would have wanted. And I am sure she is here somewhere, watching over those two babies and making sure they grow into wonderful people who love life as much as she did.

We will all miss you Suzy.