55 Flash (Non) Fiction #26 : To Absent Friends (Suzanne Horne 1966-2008)

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Usually right here you'd be reading the line: "Some stories are the same in any language." And that would fit this story as well, but for a much different reason.

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Aram se, Suzanne. May you find the peace you never found here. We will remember. And every time it rains, the liquid falling from the sky will remind us of our Liquid, who left us far sooner than we would have wished. You mattered to more people than you realized. I miss you, my friend.

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 Graciously hosted by G-Man.

A great many people both in and out of the blogosphere are struggling to make sense out of the death of one of our own, Jeri Suzanne Horne -- known to bloggers (especially those that participate in 55 Flash Fiction Friday) as LiquidIlluzion, or simply Liquid.

Some of us knew her very well. I was not that fortunate. But in the few times our paths crossed, even I could see the purity of spirit embodied in this woman who seemed to have nothing but friendship or even love to offer anyone she met. Anyone, it seems, except for herself. On Christmas Eve 2008, Liquid made her final post entitled "It's That Time Folks" and then, according to those close to the story, took her own life.

It's not my intent here to romanticize suicide, nor is it my intent to pass judgment on one who chose that path. But when a life is lost -- no matter the circumstance -- it's important for those left behind to remember, to mark it down, to tell those who never knew that there was once here among us a person who mattered. My one regret in all of this is that the person who probably most needed to hear these words can't ever read them.

The original author of the following passage is unknown, but it was passed on to me by my dear friend JC, who had it passed on to her by someone else. It's much longer than 55 words, and it's not my writing so I couldn't use it by itself for a 55. But of all the words of comfort I've ever heard, these are perhaps the most profound. And so for her friends and relatives left behind, I will pass them on to you as they were passed on to me. I hope you find the solace in them that I have.

"The only way around these things is through them. So if you bury your dead, bring a shovel, if you burn them warm to the fire. Look into whatever riddance you consign them to. Lend a hand, stand and weep or watch and wonder. But stay until it's done. Keep the names of your dead alive among your people. You get one father, one mother, one true love, one life and maybe a couple of good dogs. There is no easy way to do this. So do it right: weep, laugh, watch , pray, love, live, give thanks and praise; comfort, mend, honor and remember."

Note: If you would like to view or sign the memorial guestbook for Suzanne's family, the image at the top of this post is linked to it. The guestbook is hosted by Legacy.com and will be available until at least January 27th, 2009, and there is no charge.

Update: Suzanne's guest book has been made permanent and will remain open for visitors to read and sign. There is still no charge to view or sign the book.

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