Susan Levin

In memory of Susan Levin who died of cancer, too young and too curious to suffer this deadly disease. She was a supporter of my writing, and for that I am forever grateful. I only met Susan after she was diminished in illness, though not in spirit. She joined my synagogue after her husband died, perhaps to assert herself a bit. Susan joined the choir too. She used a walker and quietly sat down with the sopranos. Susan knew the liturgy very well, partly due to being married to a cantor. I do not know if she grew up in a devout home. As I wrote, I knew her for a very short time. Beneath, all of the layers of clothing--was she always cold or was she dressed modestly--the beret, the walker, and the pale face of a cancer victim was a feisty, fiery woman, not afraid to express herself. All I know is that cancer is taking too many lives in their golden years, too often. May the light shine brightly for Susan.