new thoughts and spiritual answers. Her life was about seeking. "Reaching For The Light" - these are Susan's words describing her goals as an artist.

.....The inspiration that Susan leaves behind is her unending ability to play, create, and explore. The core of her life was about play, whether she was playing with ideas, music, cameras, or in the darkroom with shadows and shapes. Whatever her medium was, it was about exploration and creation. Collecting croinoids on the beach, designing a cage for her gecko, arranging flowers around her house, writing, painting, working with clay, listening to - or creating music.

the moment, and enjoyed the process. But I am going to brag about how incredibly talented she was, through a little story.

.....In June of 1996, we were in Aspen, Colorado putting together a first time exhibit of Susan's photographs at a jazz festival. Susan was at a point in her life where she was just starting to gather her photographs together with the hopes of getting a show in a gallery. After all the years of playing with the images, she had thousands of photographs in various stages covering every corner of her home. Up until this point, she was doing much of her photography in blues clubs documenting musicians. The world of the blues claimed her as a photographer of theirs. However, her images were works of art beyond their subject.

.....We were a team of three - Susan, I, and our dear friend, Carol. We conspired to bring a portfolio of images around to different galleries while in Aspen. Susan wanted to get some feedback and discover if there was a possibility of interest.

.....We proceeded to walk the streets of Aspen with only a map. We were excited and probably appeared ridiculous in our quest. The first two galleries did not exhibit photography, but gave us a name of a world renowned photography gallery in town.

.....We finally met the gallery owner who said he had very little time, and added that he did not normally look at photographs unless a person was referred to him. Probably our naive and vulnerable state appealed enough, and he agreed to a ten minute interview the next day.

.....Susan was looking forward to the possibility of a discussion with an intellectual on photography - someone who would understand the language of art. Standing in front of Susan before he opened her portfolio, he looked in her eyes and said, "I want to be clear that I have limited time, and that I can only give you my honest impressions and opinions. You may not like what you hear, so you need to make sure you want to do this." As he looked through her photographs, he began to slow down as he turned the pieces over. He paused for longer and longer moments, dwelling on particular images, declaring her work "exceptional." In the end, they continued their conversation for over two hours. He explained that he had never met anyone producing work at her level of artistry that had no gallery experience. He finally expressed interest in exhibiting her work in his gallery in Aspen, or more likely in New York or Europe.

.....Susan's genuine modesty prevented her from telling this story. I had to tell it for her. This experience made her feel good, but she still could not motivate herself to continue connecting with this gallery. She was unable to reprint these images with the kind of detail and repetition needed to produce images to sell. Her excitement to keep creating something new was her genius.

.....Susan had an extraordinary ability to accept everyone without judgement. When you were in her presence, you felt a profound acceptance and generosity. She could feel your core and understand you. People were drawn to Susan. Having an intimate conversation with her was moving and unforgettable.

.....Many people talk about what a great thing Susan did in helping Lurrie Bell on his path. Of course this is true, but the connection with Lurrie was and is something deeper. They are true soulmates. Lurrie also has an extraordinary ability to be non-judgmental and accepting, and Susan needed this. She saw in Lurrie his pure and true soul and knew, whether together or separated, that they were connected spiritually.

experienced in her life. In the last days, she said that she would not have changed one thing that she had done, thought, or felt.

.....Susan expressed many times, over the years, that she was not afraid to die. After Corrina and Elijah [Susan's and Lurrie's twins] passed away, she emerged out of the deepest pain with an understanding that death was not to be feared. I listened to her in fascination when she explained that she actually saw death as an adventure, and that when the time came there was something about it that she was looking forward to. Weeks ago, when there was some thought that her illness could be terminal, she said she was afraid of pain, but that she was not afraid of death. She made it clear that she did not want to die, but if it had to be, she could accept it.

.....During the last few days of Susan's life, her concern was about her family being okay - her parents losing a child, her sisters losing one of them. She was secure in our ability to love and care for Aria. She wasn't worried that Aria was going to be in pain. Susan was wrapped tightly around our hearts. As I, Lurrie, Jessica, my parents, and the rest of our family and friends play and laugh with Aria, we are doing it with Susan's soul in our hearts. I told this to Susan many times, and when she was too weak to open her eyes or talk, she would nod her head in agreement.

.....As Susan's pain increased, and as she understood that there was no more medicine that could fight her disease, she was clear, confident, and sure that she was ready to go. The day before she died, she confidently declared that, "I'm going tonight." That was her final day of consciousness.

.....Susan died with poise, beauty, and confidence. Throughout her illness, she was amazingly optimistic and happy. Very few episodes of pain brought her into fear. She remained positive and optimistic, enjoying every moment that she had. She did not die with regrets. In the end, she was ready. No unfinished business.

.....Susan's life inspires Celebration. She Played, Created, and Loved perfectly. Her memory will inspire us to do the same.