Susan

I'm never really good at goodbyes. Mostly because I never feel like it's the end. Or at least it doesn't feel like it at first. I just like to think I enjoyed the time and learned as much as I could. I only fear goodbyes when those things aren't satisfied. I figure if it's meant to be, I'll see them again. And people don't just leave your heart. However, it is a part of life: people come and go. Today I said goodbye to Susan, but knowing it wasn't really goodbye. Once again I did her dishes, made her pancakes with buckwheat flour, chopped up her salad, and braided her hair.

This is Susan and she's 35. She suffers from a rare disease called IC. She is in pain 24/7 and it's something that goes unnoticed to the outside viewer. She will probably never be married and will never have the chance to have children. All she wants is a friend, but the only thing she can depend on is that her bladder will never stop hurting. I admire her. Even though quirky, she's an amazing woman. Her trial in life is something I fear I would not be strong enough to withstand. And many people just overlook her... If only we knew what some people went through. We'd have everything to be grateful for. She is also the last person on earth to have dial-up.