Remembering Rachel
I love this picture of Rachel in Florida which she sent me, knowing how much I love the place.
Last night the #BCSM community gathered online to honor the memory of two fearless rebels, outspoken bloggers, beloved friends, Rachel Moro Cheetham and Susan Niebur. It was one of the most beautiful, moving things I have witnessed online, as we came together from all the corners of the world to remember, to grieve, to support each other – to light a virtual candle in memory of Rachel and Susan.
There is a lot more I could write, but my heart is heavy and other bloggers are saying it much better than I could in the blogosphere today, but I do want to say one thing – THIS is what healthcare social media was made for – to inform, to educate, to support, to hold each other.
On A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor tells how, in preparation for a winter storm emergency, each child is assigned a storm-home, a place nearer the school, where the child will go, and stay, if the weather becomes too treacherous for travel. On the first day of school, slips of paper are given to each child. The paper says: “Your storm-home is with the (blank) family.”
[View the story “Remembering Rachel and Susan” on Storify]
That was lovely, Marie. Thank you. And I love that picture of Rachel.
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I just love that picture too 🙂
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Simply beautiful, Marie. My heart is heavy, yet your words make me smile.
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Thank you Marie. For me, yesterday was the day to outwardly grieve. Today is the day to sit with it quietly.
Hugs to you. I know that one loss reminds you of another. xoxo
Katie
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I did feel somewhat “sheltered” there last night. I did feel cared for. It’s a storm-home indeed. Thanks for the lovely thoughts and the beautiful pictures of these two wonderful women now lost to this terrible disease, but never forgotten.
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That is such a beautiful image, perfect and simple, a storm home. I love this. Thank you for being a storm home for me. Love, deb
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It’s so upsetting that we are still losing so many. I can’t even wrap my mind around it.
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Beautiful, Marie. Yesterday was one of the most difficult days I think I have ever experienced. We are our own little village. And this (very public) arena has become my own refuge from the storm of life. Simultaneously, it is the first place I want to share my joy and it is the first place I turn when everything is swirling around me and I can’t find my footing. I don’t know how or why it clicks on such a deep level, but it does. I will never ask the question: How can it be that we developed into a SUCH a tightly wound group of worldwide friends for whom I feel such love? I am just grateful I found all of you. And with that love comes the bitter heartbreak that we experienced together….. In the weeks ahead, we will continue to grieve and hold each other closely, of that I am sure. I know for every person who was able to speak within that group, there were likely ten or more sitting at their computers also grieving quietly and silently, but most assuredly not feeling alone. I cherish my friendships with each and every one of you. And yes, dare I say, I do love each of you, too
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Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful images and your storm-home metaphor. Although with the time change, I missed the chat, I feel incredibly lucky to have found all of you and this community. Sending you big, big hugs from Vietnam.
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Lovely – thank you.
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I had only just found the great community of #bcsm and last night was my first chat. I really just lurked, but by doing so learned much more about this incredible community. Very grateful for its existence and loved the tributes for Rachel and Susan.
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Hi Jen, thanks for stopping by and welcome to the #bcsm community x
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Beautiful picture of Rachel, Marie. Thank you for such a lovely post, reminding us how very strong our virtual community is. To be honest, I was so upset, I didn’t feel much like participating in the #BCSM chat, but I forced myself and am glad I did. It felt safe, and I didn’t feel alone. It was a great storm shelter, indeed.
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Love the storm home metaphor Marie, as well as the photos. I have yet to venture into the “twitter” world so was not part of the #BCSM virtual gathering last night. So wish I had been. Peace.
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Can we persuade you to dip your toes into the twitter waters Renn? 😉
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Thank you – this is absolutely beautiful.
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One of the most beautiful blog posts I have read all year and the image of the sheltering storm is wonderful x
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Beautifully expressed, Marie. Beautiful photos of our two sisters. Last night’s #BCSM was an experience to treasure. And I love that reference from Prairie Home Companion. Perfect. xoxo, Kathi
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Marie, I read this first thing this morning and now again. I love the photos you chose to use. Happiness on both their faces. A beautiful way to remember them. Thank you.
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Beautifully put, Marie. The online breast cancer community is shelter for one another. I hadn’t seen that photo of Rachel. She was so beautiful.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
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Very beautiful post, Marie. Thanks. And yes, this is what social media is for. You can almost hear their voices and see their faces even if you never met in person and you miss them and are sad when they’re gone. Though I will say, I did not get to know Rachel. But so pretty, both of them …
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Very pretty, very vibrant, and hard to believe they are not with us anymore
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I wish I could have been on the #BCSM line to witness this tribute. What a beautiful picture of Rachel. She just glows in her loveliness. We are so blessed that she sent it to you so you could share it with us. She and Susan will be sorely missed. XOXO Jan
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You are right Jan – she does glow in this picture – I am so happy that I can share it with everyone.
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Oh Marie I just love this, what a wonderful tribute. I too see the online community as my storm home, and as the women who keep me safe in my storms.
xo
lauren
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It’s such a comforting image to hold onto Lauren and you’ve certainly proved to be a storm home for me x
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What a great tribute to Rachael and Susan. It’s wonderful to know that there is a storm-home here for people 🙂
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This is beautiful. And you are so right about how these platforms bring us all together. Much love to the family and friends (which is all of you too) of Rachael and Susan. xxx
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Hi Kristie, it’s great to have you comment here – I got a lot of solace from reading your blog at the time of my mother’s death. I am glad we have spaces online in which we can discuss and share our losses and griefs.
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