Susan Nielsen became almost
totally
disabled
with MS (multiple sclerosis),
a weird disease (and a true
dis-ease)
which slowly eats up the myelin
sheath on the nerve cords.
Since 1982 Susan saw an
ever-decreasing
ability to access her body, limbs, etc.
Eventually, other people were
required to attend
the needs and functions of her body.
Susan became so disabled with MS,
that
she could not even brush her own teeth,
feed herself, get out of bed, get
dressed, etc. etc. without help.
All the things we take for
granted
that we can do with or to our body, she eventually could not do.
However, there is one thing we
don't take for granted .. pure happiness ..
which seemed to be "a natural"
for her.
That's why I call her an angel.
For the 20+ years I knew
her,
she always had the best of
smiles and attitude.
She never complained; and was a
stunning
inspiration to any who feel
depressed,
unhappy, miserable,
etc., for little things in life ..
compared to what she had to deal
with throughout many years of her life.
The MS manifested in her body during her young 20's, following the
birth of her twin boys.
I believe she was nearly 50 when she passed.
One of my favorite stories and memories of Susan:
I walked down the ramp to the
door of the Airplane when she came to visit me at the Hermitage in the
1990's.
An airline hostess standing at the door told me, as she held back her
tears ...
"I will never forget this woman and what
her presence taught me.
On this job I have to deal with so
many people, their problems, attitudes, etc. ... and I often get so
annoyed.
Then I see this woman and she can do
almost nothing for herself,
yet all the time she is radiant and
happy.
How can I now complain about anything
in my life?"
This is a memory from Patrick Surprise, one of her long-time
friends who knew her from the late '70's,
before the MS manifested in her body.
Patrick sums up well, a correct description of our precious and sweet
Sue Nielsen!
"She was truly one of the most
wonderful people I have ever known.
I will never forget her sweet, funny, modest, generous and
genuine personality and also, of course, her incredible beauty."
Susan (and all of us) were
blessed with 10 years of off-and-on caretaking
provided to her by very good friend (also of 20+ years) Linda Lisse
(another angel soul
among us).
The following notes were written by Linda ...
Sue died [in 2007] from MS.
She had some strokes and had lost some of her memories;
and was forced to be in the NOW for about 6 months before death.
The last time I saw her she whispered in my ear that she was dying.
I believe that Sue has reincarnated as my daughter Cassiana.
In fact, Ananda said that she might be coming to me while I was
pregnant
and I poo-pooed the idea saying that Sue would likely take some sweet
time enjoying the in-between bodies period.
Well, I believe that he was right because Cassi freaks me out how much
she looks and acts like Sue. She has those blue eyes!
I gave Sue care off-and-on for 10 years and am tickled that she has
picked me to be her next Mom.
I have a feeling she is going to want to give me care some day long
into the future when I am feeble. That would be great.
Linda Lisse
