I had another post scheduled today.
But on February 6, 2012, a star went out in this world.
Susan Niebur of Toddler Planet, passed away.
She was a four-time cancer survivor and fought inflammatory breast cancer fearlessly.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she lived the life she was given to its fullest. She campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about inflammatory breast cancer; she wrote about the joys and challenges of parenting and in the process, she touched many lives.
Lives of people she’d never met. Like mine.
I wish I’d connected more with Susan, instead of silently reading her blog, feeling at a loss for words at what in the face of all she was going through.
Reading her story made me realize a few things.
How fortunate I am to have the life I have.
How lucky I am for the health I’ve been given.
How grateful I am for the blessings of my children.
How it takes my breath away for the love I have in my life and in the blogging world.
Thank you Susan, for who you were, and the legacy you have left.
I hope that you know that you touched many lives. Mine included.
Rest in peace.
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Stephanie of Dial M for Minky is doing a wonderful thing for Susan’s two children. She is collecting stories about Susan and collating them into a book for Susan’s two boys. I’m contributing this post. If you have anything to share, please do connect with Stephanie here.
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I didn’t know about Susan until she passed away but it has been very sweet to see the blogosphere honoring her life.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..How Pinterest Almost Got Me
Her story breaks my heart, but seeing everyone come together in her honor has been overwhelming.
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..A Glimpse Of Our Future
I only “knew” Susan through her tweets and some of her posts that I read but yes, she was an amazing woman and will be truly missed.
Beautiful words, Alison.
Elaine ‘s last awesome post..My Kids Crack Me Up
My heart breaks for her family. Great post, Alison.
Jen Has A Pen ‘s last awesome post..Dirty
What a beautiful post, Alison. I saw the news yesterday and it is just truly heartbreaking. I read her blog throughout her journey as well and I was very sad to hear of her passing. What a fantastic idea that Stephanie is doing – putting a book together for her children.
Elena ‘s last awesome post..How I Spend My Friday Nights…
How awful. My condolences to all who knew her. What a lovely idea to contribute your post to the book.
LisaDay
This is a lovely tribute, and I am happy Stephanie is putting something like that together for Susan’s boys.
So very beautifully put.
Jocelyn | ScooterMarie ‘s last awesome post..Flutter
Beautifully written. Such a sad story, yet full of hope.
Practical Parenting ‘s last awesome post..Three Good Things
Twitter: Mommynanibooboo
says:
A lovely post…
and I also have so much to be grateful for. I was only just introduced to Susan last week, and am so touched by her.
Had no idea what STephanie was doing…that’s amazing.
Jenni Chiu ‘s last awesome post..Arm and Hammer tried to kill me.
It’s so sad. I just keep thinking about her boys. I didn’t know that about the book…what an awesome thing to do for her children. Gives me chills to think about it.
xo
Runnermom-jen ‘s last awesome post..If I Die Young…
This is a beautiful tribute. I, unfortunately, never had the pleasure to know Susan in this life, but I have gotten a chance to know some of her in her death. And I am thankful for that.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..On raising babies and toddlers
Beautifully said. Susan’s story really touched me and is a true reminder to hold tight to all we have.
jlweinberg/jen ‘s last awesome post..Jeans: A Loathe Affair
Ditto to all that. It’s just so incredibly sad.
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger ‘s last awesome post..Valentines Revisited
My heart has been hurting, too.
Galit Breen ‘s last awesome post..Call for Submissions!
I am speechless. We truly are fortunate.
It is wonderful you all chose to celebrate her life. Rest in peace Susan.
Stasha Becker ‘s last awesome post..Blue Horse
This is the second tribute I have come across this morning. I was not familiar with her blog, but you all are doing her well by remembering her.
Sorta Southern Single Mom ‘s last awesome post..Saturday, February 9, 2002
I only just learned of her and I am very sad.
This last week on twitter I’ve been reading everywhere about her, I’m sorry I never ‘met’ her.
Is that quote yours Alison? It is unbelievably beautiful and so seemly..
Mirjam ‘s last awesome post..Faded beauty
So sad. I’ve been reading some of the posts all week and they’re all so powerful – this one included. You are doing such a good thing submitting it for her sons.
It makes me want to hug my children when they get home today.
Thanks, Alison.
Missy | Literal Mom ‘s last awesome post..Friday Public Service Announcement – a Rockin’ Super Food
Blogging exposes us to so many things, including loss. But that’s life.
Peace for susan’s family.
Lovely post, Alison. This is just another reminder that we have to slow down and take the time to truly appreciate what we have, while we have it. You just never know what the future may hold.
Lola ‘s last awesome post..Good News, Bad News
thanks for sharing this, Alison. I didn’t know Susan, but lost my mother-in-law to the same disease and hope everyone will read about IBS and be vigilant. My heart goes out to her family.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..Friday Mission
Wonderful post. Her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Amber ‘s last awesome post..The Tale Of tommy
Wow… may she rest in peace.
Classic NYer ‘s last awesome post..On something bad
I was peripherally aware of Susan’s battle and wish I had interacted more as it is obvious how much she touched so many. A very sad thing.
Denise ‘s last awesome post..When You Don’t Want To See Yourself
That was beautiful, Alison. I placed a link to her blog on my personal FB page. Her story needs to go around the world. What a tragedy that those boys have lost their mother.
Kelley ‘s last awesome post..All wine is basically the same, right?
Was absolutely amazing and will continue to be for many years to come.
Such a loss of a beautiful soul.
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..I Bet You’re Wondering…
Oh my God. This is so sad. I think she is a friend of a friend of mine. That was a beautiful post for you to write about her.
Ado ‘s last awesome post..Show And TELL
Oh, dear
This is just so sad. I didn’t know Susan, but my heart aches for her family and children.
Thanks for a wonderful tribute. XOXO
Charlotte ‘s last awesome post..tides of my life and the rest of it all
I heard her speak at a conference a few months ago and she brought tears to everyone’s eyes. She was such a strong, inspirational woman. Beautiful post and what a nice thing to do for her two boys
Twitter: krrobi
says:
—Mama,A.
I just read about this courageous woman.
Thank you for this blog post.
She sounds amazing. x
I’m so sorry to hear about this loss! My mother is suffering from recurring breast cancer, which is incurable, and is battling for her life. She is in her third YEAR of aggressive chemo and it’s starting to truly take a toll on her. It’s an awful disease!
Tristine ‘s last awesome post..The Accused
I didn’t know Susan’s story until it was too late. This is a lovely memorial to her and all the reasons we should appreciate every moment we are given.
Tonya ‘s last awesome post..Remembering Whitney
What a wonderful tribute to an amazing lady.
JDaniel4′s Mom ‘s last awesome post..Muffin Tin Monday- Homemade Granola Heart
I did the same thing, read without being able to think of much to say. And I feel so sad. What a terrible loss of an incredible warrior.
Jessie Powell ‘s last awesome post..Valentine in Blue
I read this post already but came back to read it again.
Such a sad story. And I feel the same way you do…I silently read but never left any words of encouragement etc. Just didn’t know what to say.
This is lovely.
Susan ‘s last awesome post..In.Spired Series ~ Bouffe e Bambini