Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ellen


On Thursday, August 23rd, the blogging world lost one of its most loved contributors,
Ellen Crush, age 52, loving wife of Curtis, passed away after years of battling with cancer.
I have known Ellen for a couple of years, and read her blog daily during that time. Her wit and humor will be sorely missed. She was kind and sweet, and I will always have a special place for her in my heart.
Her husband Curtis will be at a loss as he adjusts to life without his precious gal. He could never believe how lucky he was to have this special lady. But she saw something in him that drew her to him and they were a match made in heaven.
I am grateful that their many shared blog friends will be here to continue supporting Curtis through this very difficult time and into the future.
For people who are not part of the Blog community, it may be difficult for them to conceive the depth of feeling and care that Bloggers develop for each other. The blogosphere , as it is affectionately referred to by those involved, is a network of people from around the world, that otherwise would never have the opportunity to know each other. These relationships are very real and the support and encouragement amongst this huge group of friends is deep and genuine.
When fellow Bloggers are in crisis of any sort, word goes out on the web and friends come to leave offers of prayer and kind words. I can tell you from my own experience how very meaningful these friendships are. My family has been through a couple of rough patches over the last couple of years and Ellen was always here with kind words and encouragement. During my nieces trying times with cancer last summer, Ellen was a huge support, though she herself was battling that same demon. Perhaps her own suffering made her more understanding of what other cancer fighters were going through. Instead of being bitter or resentful of her condition, she was graceful and courageous, she used that understanding to encourage others and their families through similar rough times.
Ellen, will live on in the hearts of her many friends. It was wonderful to have known her.
Godspeed dear lady.

12 comments:

Kyleen King Zelenak said...

Very well said and a fitting tribute to our dear sweet Ellen.

Jo said...

Susan, what a lovely tribute to Ellen. I didn't know her until close to the end, but I felt just awful for her and Curtis.

The blogging community is a real community, isn't it? People who have never met each other in real life become very close friends, and indeed care about each other very much. I had another blogging friend, also named Ellen, who died the other day, and all of us who blogged with her were so shocked and saddened.

My thoughts are with Curtis at this awful time.

Dina said...

I got to meet Ellen through your blog and kept going back to her blog reading about her battle with cancer. I felt for her as my mother died with the same type of cancer so I knew what she was going through. I loved reading her good spirited posts and boy she was one brave gal. God bless her soul and gives strength to her husband Curtis.

Bobbie said...

A beautiful tribute to Ellen! Our blogging family has lost such a lovely person. She was an inspiration to us all with her warmth, her humour and her loving nature.

My heart breaks every time I think of Curtis losing his soul-mate.

I'm so glad I'm part of this big blog family, and so glad I've gotten to meet you in person Susan. Thanks for being such a good friend.

Joan said...

I hope you don't mind, but I will be using your description regarding blogging friends in the eulogy, it summed it up perfectly.

Thank you very much!

Kathy said...

Ellen is sorely missed in our house, we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet her and Curtis in person in 2005.

I wanted to thank you for participating in the cranes project.

Ellen has brought together many people, we'll be hanging around to see more of your beautiful photos and to hear how Kayla is doing.

God bless.

Leslie: said...

My condolences on the passing of your dear friend, Ellen. Like Josie, we also lost another blogging friend the other day and her name was also Ellen. Her death was sudden and unexpected - a burst aortic valve - and literally hundreds of us have been in shock over her passing. It's so true how close we become through this little adventure we started in the blogosphere. I'll be praying for Curtis as he endures this terrible loss and continues on without her.

sharon said...

You are so right when you talk about the bonds bloggers can develop. I've been amazed by the kindness I have encountered and the friendships I've made since I started my blog. I'm so glad my Aunt Ellen has so many people who loved her and that Curtis has the support of so many people that genuinely care for him.

I'm so sorry , also, for the other Ellen who passed away suddenly. I'm sure it was a shock to everyone who knew her. May they both rest peacefully.

Penny said...

I would not believed how close one could become to people you have never met, either. Ellen will be greatly missed.

Dick said...

This really saddens me. Curtis lost his Ellen two years and a month to the day after I lost my Annie. There are no words that really help but steady love from friends is a big help to one struggling through a loss like this. I don't know Curtis but I do know what he is going through from having been there myself. Time helps as does contact with friends and family. My prayers will be with him.

Anonymous said...

That was so beautiful. Thank you.

Canadian flake said...

Curtis and Ellen have been on my mind. I have been praying for him to have strength and to know she is now at peace and is no longer suffering. She is looking down on him from heaven and I know that some day they will be together again...may he find peace in his journey without her.