For Sue

A friend and colleague of mine passed away quite suddenly last night. Just before Christmas she had told me that a tumour had been found on her spine and yesterday she was having surgery to remove it. Her son phoned me this morning with the news that she hadn't made it through surgery.

I'm not one for tribute posts all over social media but want to put some thoughts down here, in tribute to wonderful Sue. We met, some years ago, through church and more recently worked together in school. Sue worked in one of the most difficult schools in the town but loved those children relentlessly. On the first day of her Christmas break, which was a break that was well deserved, especially with her recent news, she spent the day organising members of staff in a massive effort to make sure that vulnerable young people got food hampers for Christmas. She loved those kids. And she loved her son - it was evident to see that they were each other's whole worlds. 

They were just around the corner from me a couple of nights ago, waiting at the hospital for an ambulance to take her to Stoke. I told them that all I wanted to do was take them a big flask of tea and a big hug. Covid meant that I could only send my love. My heart breaks for my lovely friend Liam, and how he's going to cope in a world without his beloved mum.

So, to you, Sue. Thanks for showing me what it means to love young people with the biggest love.