15 Comments
User's avatar
Mary Riche's avatar

I've been tending my garden the past couple hours and feeling so close to Mother Nature. Mother Earth. Mother Watson Riche. Needed to check a task on computer and saw the email saying you had written a new poem. Of course, I opened it before any other emails, as I always do. And you've done it again. Packed a wallop that gobsmacked my heart. Again. Arms about you and know I'm grieving with you too.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thanks, Mary. Our dear colleague Beth died March 7 after a year and a half of colon cancer. XXOO

Expand full comment
suzieQ's avatar

What a thoughtful and profound tribute to honor your friend's memory.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thank you, Sue. She was a lovely person and will be missed.

Expand full comment
MARGI WEISS's avatar

what a beautiful tribute to you friend.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thank you, Margi. We're still reeling from her death. She was a great colleague.

Expand full comment
Andy Lyons's avatar

I'm glad to have found this---and you too--here. (I'm new to Substack.) When you read this at Beth's tribute I was in the throes of emotional distress with a clipped attention span. When you finished I was hoping there'd be an opportunity to read it undistracted. And here it is! It's beautiful. It certainly was a terrible mistake. She wasn't supposed to die all all. We just knew we'd be walking out of chemo together arm in arm...damn it.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

So good to hear from you, Andy! Damn it is right. Just devastating. I hope you are well. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Such wonderful work! So sorry for your loss!

Expand full comment
Julie Gammack's avatar

Oh, what a heart-wrenching story. I am so sorry.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thank you, Julie. So sad.

Expand full comment
Debra Engle's avatar

This is a stunning tribute, Suzanna. I'm sending deep condolences and hugs. Thank you for sharing your feelings with so much honestly and beauty.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thank you, Deb. Beth was a wonderful and talented colleague.

Expand full comment
peg lonnquist's avatar

Great tribute to your friend... so creatively written. Sending hugs.

Expand full comment
Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thanks, Peg! She was a colleague at work and we are all reeling from her death.

Expand full comment