Colin Kanewske is fundraising
Honor Susie Kanewske through the FSHD Society
It is hard news to share, though I find my heart at ease.
Sometime between Thursday and Friday morning my mom suffered a tragic fall in her apartment and passed away.
When my brother shared with me the news over the phone, though filled with shock of the circumstances, an immediate sense of ease and calmness washed over me.
My heart aches, but only with the tremendous joy of having my mom's spirit inside of me. I am not a spiritual person but my mom was incredibly spiritual. I feel it is that same strength of my mom's spirit that has gripped hold of my grandfather and helped him remember despite his dementia. I like to think she is smiling inside of all of us, ready to be that same motivation and inspiration as we channel our inner Susie.
The soul of Susie Kanewske was far bigger than her withering vessel of a body could ever hold. She was a beacon of positivity and light. Of love and compassion. A badass lady in a little package, she created a presence everywhere she went and an inspiration to all.
Yes, the situation of her death is tragic, but my mom's life was far from tragedy. Susie's life was full of spontaneity and laughter. Amazing careers and soul-gripping friendships. She was a world-traveler, a fashionista, and a motivational speaker. She taught manners and hired mall Santas. And she would mix you one helluva cocktail!
Impeccable would describe my mom in one word. Or to choose one of her favorites...
Fabulous.
She truly was one of a kind and while everyone else knows her as Susie Kanewske, I am proud to call her Mama.
I have shed many tears in the last few days as emotion after emotion washes over me. Waves so hard they crash me to the floor of the bathtub as I shower.. but what I am hit with most is the lasting impression of her positivity.
I envision a sea of emotion in the upcoming days and years, but it brings me solace to know my mom's suffering from the debilitating FSHD has come to an end. She masked it well from many, but she lived in a lot of pain as she struggled in a body that was decaying around her powerful spirit.
Despite her daily struggles in pain, she never let the disease break her. Always holding this vision of a future where she would walk once more.
So I ask that everyone take an opportunity to open their hearts to let in the spirit of my mom's light to fill you.
As we mourn our loss, celebrate her life.
In honor of her legacy, I ask that you give what you can as a donation to the FSHD Society. If you cannot give, then spread this message to others and put one foot in front of the other and walk on her behalf. Take the steps she no longer could in life, as she rides along in spirit form to your next journey in life.
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