The wife of Dan’s oldest childhood friend is a tiny, lovely woman with a rare warmth and inner beauty. Everyone who knows her loves her. If you put a picture in the dictionary next to the word “goodness”, it would be her smiling face.
For years now, she has been fighting a battle with cancer. She wins one round and then gets sucker punched with more. The determination with which she continues to fight is inspiring. Her cheerfulness, grace, gentleness, and lack of self-pity is Saintly with a capital “S”. But, this cancer is viciously invasive, and the fight gets harder. All traditional treatments have been exhausted and she is now on 100% experimental treatments.
I am ashamed to say that the busyness of my insignificant daily pursuits have gotten in the way of spending the time I could have with her. And time is the most important gift I should be giving.
Instead, I work too much, spend far too many hours here in front of my computer, and plan trips.
So, for Susie, this next month is dedicated to supporting her fight. Dan and I will be taking a special candle with us into every church, chapel, and cathedral we visit. We’ll light that candle and say a prayer for Susie’s continued strength & comfort.

I’d like to ask a favor of my blog readers and SlowTrav friends. As you visit the great and small houses of faith around the world — will you light a candle for Susie? If possible, will you take a photo of that candle and e-mail it to me with a note about where and when it burned? And if you will, please forward this blog entry link to any friends you have who may be travelling.
The first thing I’m determined to do, when we return is to visit her with pictures of all the places where she and her struggle was being remembered.