WOW! 50! I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating your 49th birthday. I was just reading a quote in Real Simple by Madeleine L'Engle. . . "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." I remember when you were just 40 and we were moving into the neighborhood. Julie and Rachel were in Elementary School, Lauren wasn't yet in school. All of you brought us the first of many plates of "Johnson" brownies to welcome us to the neighborhood. It seems we receive "Johnson" brownies when we are sick, when something great happens, when something not-so-great happens, when we think we are moving, when we find out we aren't moving, and when you just have some extra brownies. Do you know how much the Michelsens love brownies? Not only do you provide brownies, but you provide car rides, extra cups of sugar, pickles (dill and sweet-n-sour), more car rides, tomato paste, salsa, more sugar, eggs, a car ride back home to get homework, mayo, milk, paper towels, more car rides and I think we've even asked for toilet paper on occasion. My point is, you have always been there for me and for my family and always with a smile on your face. We have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful neighbor. You have come to our rescue so many times and you haven't even thought twice about helping us out. You have blessed our family in so many ways; not just in your physical presence but in your spiritual presence as well. I can always see the Spirit of the Lord in your actions and in your words. Your prayers and encouragement in those trying times have helped us through the challenges of life. You have the most sincere, caring and compassionate heart. So many people respect you for your thoughtfulness, fairness and open-mindedness. The one thing that stands out to me is that when I am talking with you, I have your undivided attention. No matter how busy you may be, you stop and listen to every word I say and give me those wonderful words of wisdom or guidance that always make so much sense and ease my mind. You always make me feel special in that moment. You are an inspiration!
Speaking of special moments. There are so many fun memories I have of you. The one that stands out the most is one that occurred during the Women's Retreat at Parkway Hills a couple of years ago. I thought I really knew you so well and you have always had that conservative but fun sense of humor. Then, all of a sudden I see you impersonating Rosanna Rosanna Dana! Not my Susan. It can't be. I was rolling in my seat. You are the best Rosanna Rosanna Dana I have ever seen. You gave the performance of a lifetime and truly inspired me. I still have the pictures in my head. I wish I had pictures to put on this Blog! Other great memories include playing tennis with you, taking morning walks, lunch at Pregos, lunch at Tin Star, Bunco, Ladies Lunch, scrap booking (Well, I was scrap booking, you were putting your pictures in an album. I'm still in 1999; you are organized through 2008), and so many more. I think I ma
y have won 1 tennis match . . . or was that 1 point. Even though you are ???? (a lot of) years older than me, you can run circles around me on the tennis court and walking that dog, Patch! You also have the greatest spur of the moment ideas and you can tell a joke like it has never been told before. I don't know how you can remember the jokes. I can only remember the punch line. You are so funny! Speaking of spur of the moment . . . the photo of you and the girls I put on this blog. It is from the BIG Snow and Ice Storm when the kids didn't have school. My kids are out making snow balls and the next thing I know, you are pulling out trash bags and lids. The kids start sliding down the alley having the best time. You are a SUPERMOM and a true kid at heart. You are one of the greatest moms. I'm always checking with you on how you handle those challenging situations. You have the best advice and it always includes a positive way of handling difficult situations. Your husband and your girls simply adore you and love spending time with you. You are always so supportive of their events at school and church. You encourage and support their spiritual and physical growth. You're involved in their church and school activities and extra-curricular activities. You are their biggest cheerleader and fan. Everytime you talk about them, I can hear the love and adoration in your voice. I don't know how you juggle it all and still maintain that calm, happy smile on your face. I think you could find a way to make taking out the trash fun.
y have won 1 tennis match . . . or was that 1 point. Even though you are ???? (a lot of) years older than me, you can run circles around me on the tennis court and walking that dog, Patch! You also have the greatest spur of the moment ideas and you can tell a joke like it has never been told before. I don't know how you can remember the jokes. I can only remember the punch line. You are so funny! Speaking of spur of the moment . . . the photo of you and the girls I put on this blog. It is from the BIG Snow and Ice Storm when the kids didn't have school. My kids are out making snow balls and the next thing I know, you are pulling out trash bags and lids. The kids start sliding down the alley having the best time. You are a SUPERMOM and a true kid at heart. You are one of the greatest moms. I'm always checking with you on how you handle those challenging situations. You have the best advice and it always includes a positive way of handling difficult situations. Your husband and your girls simply adore you and love spending time with you. You are always so supportive of their events at school and church. You encourage and support their spiritual and physical growth. You're involved in their church and school activities and extra-curricular activities. You are their biggest cheerleader and fan. Everytime you talk about them, I can hear the love and adoration in your voice. I don't know how you juggle it all and still maintain that calm, happy smile on your face. I think you could find a way to make taking out the trash fun.
Susan, I think I've taken up enough room on your blog. I'm so blessed to have spent the last 10 years as your neighbor and friend, I'm looking forward to 50 more years. Let's see . . . you'll be 100. I'll be . . . still younger than you. But, think of the fun we'll have.I'm sure we'll still be playing tennis, attending Bible Study, and you'll still be making brownies, being my confidante and coming to my rescue. The kiddos will be visiting with their kids or maybe their kids' kids will be visiting with their kids. Yikes, we'll be really really old. But it will be great with my fun and inspirational friend . . .
May God Bless you for another 50 years!
Teresa
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