fight like susan

This should be a pithy post about recent cycling adventures and reflections about my life, but it isn’t.

That’s because of Susan Nelson, who died tonight after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Her husband, Elden (the “Fat Cyclist”), and other family members were with her as she passed.

Elden has kept his extended internet family up to date with Susan’s fight: the lows, the highs, the frustrations and lessons learned. Like most of his internet family, I’ve never formally met the man, but he’s a part of my life. His blog morphed from a cycling journal full of humor to a life journal that taught a lot of good life lessons, often with a touch of humor.

As Elden says, Susan didn’t lose. She fought. She inspired many to try and be something bigger and better than themselves, to not let the little things drag you down, to persevere even when the odds weren’t in your favor.

Like many before her, Susan was – and will remain – a hero.

As will Elden. He vows to fight cancer ever harder in the wake of Susan’s death. She wouldn’t want it any other way, nor would Elden’s family and friends.

So thank you, Susan, for showing courage under fire and showing what true bravery is. And thank you, Elden, for taking us along, showing us another form of true bravery, and for vowing to keep up the fight.

Just like Susan did, to the very end.