My Journey with Susan - by Mary Walden
I thank God for Susan every day. When I saw your request about wanting
people who frequented her website to share their stories, my immediate reaction was what a wonderful idea but my next thought was,
no way I’d want someone reading my story. After attending yesterday’s prayer meeting at the Millsom home, (and Andy you’ll be
sorry you missed this one), I was encouraged to share what I prayed about even thou, “What’s shared at the Prayer Meeting stays at
the Prayer Meeting”. In other words, I’m feeling a bit vulnerable by sharing but here goes…
I could write pages about my
journey with Susan. She started cutting my hair on a referral from my dear sister, Cathy, who had lived in RB for many years. Susan cut my mom’s hair when she moved to RB and even gave my niece Megan her first haircut (Meg’s going off to college next month).
The person who had been cutting my hair for over 15 years was having back surgery so wouldn’t be able to work for an undetermined
amount of time…so for me, Susan was just a temporary substitute. Although I haven’t been her friend for as long as many of the
other Prayer Warriors or folks who follow her website, I feel as though she has always been one of the best friends I could ever have
and that she was put in my life for many reasons.
As with most of you who have had the experience of having Susan’s smiling
greeting and hug, wonderful shoulder massage, and exceptional conversations when stepping into her salon (wherever that may be located),
the haircut, color, wax, blow-dry, whatever you were really there for was always secondary. I never realized at the time, but
I now know I was there so Susan could help bring me closer to God. It’s taken me 7 months of being an extra- close friend during
Susan’s journey to figure that out and I’m so grateful that it’s finally happened.
Susan and I recently returned from a trip to Portland. She wanted to spend time with her daughter, Drew, one-on-one, driving home from college but needed to get to Eugene to start the trip. We have a mutual friend, also named Susan (who will now be called Portland Susan), who invited us to fly up and visit her with the
intention of driving Susan to Eugene (2.5 hours each way). Portland Susan, used to be Scripps Ranch Susan and was another salon
transplant who also started enjoying her scheduled hair time with Susan. About 6 years ago, Scripps Ranch Susan relocated to
Portland, but continued to come to San Diego every time she needed her hair styled. There was a reason for that too…it became
more apparent on our trip, but I never would have guessed what that would be.
Our trip to Portland was such a special time. I
had Susan all to myself, as selfish as that sounds, but I loved it. Personally, I’ve experienced jealousy when someone else
has gotten to care for Susan, taken her to the doctor, out for a drive, PT, OT, etc. It’s just that I love Susan so much and
care so much about her recovery process that I just want to be there…and I was! Susan and I have talked about Portland Susan
not being a person who shares in religious beliefs and we make absolutely no judgments in regards to this. I knew we wouldn’t
be saying grace before meals, and our conversations regarding Susan’s incredible recovery wouldn’t include a lot of discussions in
detailing the many miracles I’ve witnessed and Susan’s experienced in the past 7 months.
We drove the following day to Eugene to meet
Drew. In true Susan style, she commented on the incredibly beautiful countryside, gave heartfelt thanks for Portland Susan taking
the time to help her connect with Drew, and shared stories of her personal journey and gratefulness at how thankful she was to be
able to take this trip- something just a few months ago she wouldn’t have considered. Portland Susan admitted she has never
once looked at the website, and only hears about Susan’s journey thru me, so this first-hand experience was eye-opening and cause
for rejoicing. A few months ago, Portland Susan’s significant other was diagnosed with kidney cancer. His kidney
was removed and there were no residual signs of cancer left and no post-surgical treatments prescribed. Susan and I have
prayed for him, and without too much discussion asked ourselves why he was so lucky with his cancer when my sweet Susan was suffering.
After
a wonderful reunion with Drew, lunch, and a tour of the arena, we said our good-byes and Portland Susan and I headed back. We
hadn’t been on the road for 30 minutes when I was asked about the Prayer Meetings. I explained why they had been started, and
how much I looked forward to the meetings. I told her how far I had come in terms of attending for weeks before I ever opened
my mouth (as hard as that is for most people to believe), and that sharing wasn’t a requirement, but, how strongly I felt that
it was my Friday morning special time. Our discussions lead to comments about the strength of prayer, the change it’s made in
my life and how much it’s done for Susan. Susan’s recovery is faith and prayer based and the fact that she continuously makes
a verbal statement confirming and professing this has made a huge difference in my life and I know the lives of so many others.
My
mom died of a glioblastoma brain tumor in January 2007. The woman who used to cut my hair, passed away of a brain aneurism in
February 2007, several months after having her back surgery (unrelated). When Stephanie told me about her mom’s seizure, and
when I learned about the brain cancer I could only think about what had happened to these two women I’d loved so very much. I ask God’s forgiveness, but I could only think about this happening to Susan too and how hard it would be to live without this incredibly
special person. Susan and I met and have been on life’s journey together- wherever that may take us, and I got picked to take
her to Portland because of prayer. I believe Portland Susan will allow God to come into her life soon and I pray for that daily. The day before we left on our trip I bought a little dish that says, “Pray more, worry less”. I am trying to do that every day!