Cancer Endeavors

Susan Sinsabaugh's "Herd of Turtles"

At the Relay for Life that I attended on June 7th, 2008, I came across a group of people operating a booth.  There they were, all wearing their green T-shirts with their devotion to one woman clearly printed on the back.  This woman was, Susan Sinsabaugh.  Although I never had the opportunity to meet her, she must have been a truly remarkable woman because the outpouring of love that they show for her is unbelievable.  I am including the story that they show on the Relay for Life site:

"We truly are a Herd of Turtles" she would say as we tried to get the kids ready to go on some adventure.  While mothers plotted out our strategies and fathers corralled the kids, she would watch, smile, and help wherever we needed help.  She was always trying to lead us in a timely manner to where we needed to be... our fearless leader.... 

After the cancer, she decided that instead of continuing to lead us, the time had come for her to step back and take it all in.  Instead of continuing to move us along, she wanted to breathe us in and soak up all of our little eccentricities...and this made us want to soak her up.  It was the first time we realized that our everyday life may not include her some day...A thought none of us were happy or ready to entertain, and one that is still difficult to accept. 

Susan was someone unique and different to all of us.  She saw a special gift in everyone. She celebrated each and every one of us, and pushed us to realize our potential.  And to us, her adoring family, she was our leader, our matriarch, "The Queen", the glue that bound us to one another.  She taught us how to love, how to be patient, how to believe and persevere through her own example.  Susan faced her cancer head on, with courage that was nothing short of amazing.  She wasn't going to let some stupid cancer stop her from being at every soccer game, dance recital, graduation, birthday party and camping trip.  She taught her grandchildren not to be afraid of her balding head and daily routine of taking many pills.  She always had an easy smile for them and welcoming arms to give the best hugs they will ever know...

Although we try to be strong and tell our children that they have a special angel up in heaven now, we miss her beyond any explanation.  We honor Susan everyday, in all that we do, all she taught us to do!

Unfortunately, Susan wasn't able to beat her cancer.  But she serves as an inspiration to all of us.  I was told that she was camping two weeks prior to her death.  She was enjoying life and a fighter to the very end!