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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Because She Does, Thursday



I wanted to honor my sister through ‘Because She Does’ and my sisters name is Susie Garoufalias.

From an infant my sister Susie has always had her persona manifested through her actions. In fact, I was told that when I was a baby and cried at night, my mom would rush to quiet me only to find another who had arrived first; Susie who was calmly rocking me back to sleep. That is my sister, constantly thinking of others before herself, no matter how tired she might be or what trials she might be dealing with herself.
As we grew up and all the siblings got married and started their own families, my parents concluded that we would choose names for one family to give gifts to. However, Susie and her husband loved the response of all the happy faces on their nieces and nephews and could not bare to not give to all. So they continued on giving to all and did not think twice about all the gifts they had to purchase.

In addition, my sister and her husband own a car dealership and from my experience it seems common among people that when a practice is owned for awhile it’s hard to keep giving to family members. However, this is not the case for Susie and her husband. For many years, they have consciously taken good care of the entire extended family- when there are car problems, and also offering the cheapest price for their cars. Also, many of their nieces and nephews are now grown up and most are college students that own used cars which constantly need repairs. The cars seem to always be fix for free or for a very nominal fee. Even when they were hit hard by the economy downfall and cars were not in high demand, it didn't stop them from helping out.

Susie has always been the one in the family to lend a ear, to let her desires be surpassed to ensure that other wants are met.

Last of all, when her son was a teenager he had a deleterious fall while skiing and had to be hospitalized. Despondently, the son became addicted to prescription drugs and tragically, it let to a lethal overdosed. I cannot imagine the pain that my sister must deal with on a daily basis to lose a son at such a young age. A son who always had a huge smile for everyone and brought such happiness to her life. I honor her for her courage, to press on through life and do so with the continued love and kindness that has always been her hallmark. 
I love you Sue --- from your baby sis




19 comments:

Tina said...

Now that post made me emotional!! We love you Susie!! You are one wonderful woman and I'm so happy to have you as my aunt!
Marcia, that was such a sweet tribute to such a wonderful sister, friend, aunt, grandma and MOM!!! Love her!!

makana hansen said...

What a great post! And well deserved

Robin L Greenslade said...

reaching for the kleenex and feeling so grateful there are wonderful people like Susie in the world.

People who truly make a difference in how we feel about the world in which we live.

Kelsi said...

Wow that was a touching tribute mom. I agree wholeheartedly on all that was sad. Especially as someone who has had both Susie and Jimmy help me out multiple times.

Cherie said...

Susie, I am in my fifties and have never lost anyone, so cannot comprehend your pain, my mum is really ill at the moment with cancer, so I know my time for pain will come soon. your post was very moving and I hope like the rest of your family I deal with with it with the courage your family have. Please send my condolence to your sister.

Melanie said...

I have a sister that is a lot like her. I am grateful for all the susie's in the world.

Anonymous said...

Losing a son is not easy and i feel for her. Its a good reminder to me to keep my head up and make sure i'm being more giving. Thanks for this shelby it was needed.

-Kylee

Melinda said...

I was just telling some friends and neighbors about how generous Susie and Mimi are! They just unexpectedly went completely out of their way to help a family member with a dead car. I don't think they know how much it has helped and how much their love & kindness meant to us all when they did this. They are always doing things like this and I only hope I can follow their amazing example and help others too. I have such an amazing aunt! We sure love you Susie!

Anonymous said...

Susie has always been an amazing example to me. Everything she does is a way to say "I love you." Whenever she is around, everyone knows they have a true friend. Love you, Susie!

McKay said...

Thanks susie for being such a neat aunt!

Ann and Bryndon said...

What a wonderful reminder of the sweet person Susie is! We all love her and her family so much!

Cassidy and Daniel Stephens said...

What a wondrous tribute to our sweet Susie! Thank you for sharing that mom. I have always admired Susie and her family and love it when we get to see them. You always bring such joy and many smiles to our faces. Love you.

Angela said...

Can I just second all of that?! What a perfect description!

Susie, you are the Best! Thank you for being so fun and easy to talk with. Thanks again for all the help you guys have been through the years.

Love you Susie!
Angela

Anonymous said...

Susie, I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for you and your family. From the second I met you and Mimi I have always felt like a member of your family. I consider myself very lucky because I have had so many opportunities to be with you , Mimi, Nick, and Jimmy with the soccer games. I can say that all of my memories of you are of happiness and love, with a bit of yelling. ;) please know that even from a nephew in law you are a great hero and friend that I look up to and would feel very honored to have you as a role model. Keep smiling and love ya.
Derek

Anonymous said...

Susie, I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for you and your family. From the second I met you and Mimi I have always felt like a member of your family. I consider myself very lucky because I have had so many opportunities to be with you , Mimi, Nick, and Jimmy with the soccer games. I can say that all of my memories of you are of happiness and love, with a bit of yelling. ;) please know that even from a nephew in law you are a great hero and friend that I look up to and would feel very honored to have you as a role model. Keep smiling and love ya.
Derek

Larry said...

I am grateful to you Marcia for sending this link out today so I could read all of the wonderful things written about my sis. Susie, you are an incredible woman and someone I've always admired. I love you with all my heart!
Lots of love from your bro,
Larry

Denise said...

Thanks Marcia for posting this about Susie---and Shelby for your idea of featuring those who have made a difference. I am helping to edit mom's history and I can't tell you how many times mom writes about how Susie took over as the "mom" when mom was away--like when grandma had a heart attack and mom had to go back to Utah. Susie baked bread, and ran the schedule of the house. Mom said she couldn't have gone if it weren't for her. She also gave all of her babysitting money to mom and dad when they were really struggling financially. Susie is a very giving person...she always has been. I remember the full size afghan she made for us for Christmas one year. It's still one of our warmest blankets! Thanks Sue for your example to me! I love you, Denise

Mona Madsen said...

Marcia, thank you for letting me know about this. What a great idea, Shelby. Susie has always been special. She is right there to help out when needed, without being asked. Susie you are so precious! I love and treasure you and our relationship. I love it when we get some visiting time together. Those times with you are really special to me. I dearly love you. Mom

Debbie Puckett said...

I am a little behind the times and I'm just reading the blog. All of the comments about my sweet sister are my feelings exactly. Her quiet and calm way has impressed me over the years, and her work ethic is amazing. She gets more done in a day than I do in 2 weeks. I, too, love her for her selflessness and generosity. Thank you, Susie for who you are and for loving me. I love you with all my heart.
Your sis,
Deb