Colin Powell.  Prince Philip.  Ed Asner.  Larry King.  All well-known souls that passed to eternity this year.  I’ve known these names for years but could not tell you how they made an impact on my world.  I’m assuming the same for you, friend.  We grieve briefly and maybe even say a short prayer for their loved ones who remain and then go on with our day.

Now let me tell you about a woman whom I did know that impacted my life and family deeply that passed away all too soon this year.  Her name was Susan Blois.  She lived in Louisville, KY and we became friends in the oddest way.  She and her friend Brenda were on a plane to Alaska when my parents, who were on the same flight, started up a conversation.  They discovered that they were all on the same cruise and managed to eat most meals together and became fast friends.  She was a retired school teacher and volunteered for the Make a Wish Foundation.  I was living in Thailand at the time and didn’t think much of it.  Then I met and married Barrett and moved to Louisville, KY.  She graciously hosted my parents each time they visited us and we became sweet friends.  She met our Betsy many times and they too became fast friends.  While we were still living with Betsy I had my miscarriage of twins and she simply grieved with us through our loss.  Never had a person outside my normal work-church circle enter into my pain like she had, I loved her for that.  She graciously grieved with us again as we sat at Betsy’s memorial service at Clifton Baptist Church a few years later.

We soon moved to Okinawa, Japan and Annabelle was born.  Her birth started the most precious gift of receiving a box of clothes from Susan.  Susan never missed a turn of season to send new clothes and shoes for Annabelle.  We never had to by a stitch of clothing!  When we decided to adopt, Susan was one of the first to support us financially and emotionally.  And when Ronnie and Lydia were finally gifted to us by the Lord, Susan added them to the box!

Each time we visited Louisville, we made sure to meet up with her.  She treated us to an Ethiopian Restaurant when she first met the twins!  I know she didn’t like the food, she just had the heart to bless.  She also made a play date with one of her grandbabies to play at a gym and the pictures and videos are hilarious as my kids had never experienced trampolines or a trapeze before.  She would pack our suitcases with crafts and clothes when we left.

When Maria hit Puerto Rico and we were sent to live in a Florida hotel for an undetermined amount of time, guess who flew out to see us and treat us to a meal? Yup. Faithful Susan.  Ronnie still has the stuffed zebra she bought him on that visit.  I could tell you of zoo visits, breakfast meetups, Churchill Downs tours, and phone calls as well.

She did not have an easy life.  Often we would talk about family dynamics and she would weep over the sadness of what was going on in loved ones life.  I don’t ever recall her feeling badly for herself, only how much she enjoyed serving children in need and wondering if we knew how she could love her children well.

She became sick sometime last year and what pulled her through is she wanted to vote in the presidential election!  Ha!  Her spunk was contagious!  Then the kids and I saw her when we went to a wedding there in April, we didn’t know that would be the last time we saw her.  Our texts and calls went unanswered for weeks.  Then my dad googled her name only to find a funeral announcement that was made in September.  She died so suddenly and unexpectedly.

I took the kids to Target last week to buy some long sleeved shirts and her death hit me afresh.  It’s funny how some people find shopping as therapy, now it reminds me of the loss of a dear friend who walked with us through the worst of times and the best of times.  A woman that never ceased to serve her friends and family when she could have taken a back seat to life.

As the news reels replay the death of names you know, remember to count the blessing of the people you truly know in your life.