DANCING FOR SUSIE BENEFIT

Reprinted from PA Chapter A Newsletter

Written by Gloria Mentzer

Saturday evening, January 17, 2004, Ron and I attended this benefit.  This is the Charitable cause our Chapter “A” PA members voted our donation to at our Christmas Party.

Just to update our members, Sue and Dan (formerly Chapter B Area Rep and Susie was also an Officer) are former AGWA members, but did not renew due to Susie’s medical problems.

I was personally told that 140 tickets were sold and they turned away about 20 people who wanted tickets.  The Meadowbrook Country Club is capable of holding 125 comfortably.  There was no room for dancing, but that didn’t bother any of us.  It was like a class reunion.  We, and all the folks there, renewed old acquaintances.  There were lots of tears too.  Sue was overwhelmed, as was her husband Dan.  They were aware of the benefit, but they never expected the turnout.  Lots of the attendees are no longer AGWA members, but the “togetherness” was still there.  We were a fun group back then, and we are still a fun group.  There was a lot of “do you remember?” statements and so much laughter that you forgot you are 10-15 years older.  There were women there who had lost their husbands, and that was tough on them, but it was so great seeing them they soon got into the swing of the party.  Even grown men had tears in their eyes.  Yes, those tough guys go get compassionate.  And nobody cared.  We just cried and laughed and hugged each other.

There were Chinese Auctions, Silent Auctions, 50-50 tickets and lots of door prizes.  I had a lot of fun with an AGWA member who attended the Get-Togethers.  On the one ride home from MA it rained the while way home, a heavy drizzle.  You can relate to that kind of riding.  Well, this guy never wore a coat, (he was tough) and he would not wear a rain suit.  He used garbage bags!  He won a neat jacket in the Silent Auction.  My big mouth and me had to remind him.  So I called across the room “No more garbage bags, Earl!”  Well, that brought a lot of laughter from those who were with us that time.

Sue is looking really good; she walks with a cane, and the handle has a happy blink!  That goes with Sue’s personality.  The Chemo did its thing by promptly removing her hair and just last week she lost her eyebrows.  And through it all, Susie can still laugh.  The good thing is she has 5 more radiation treatments left.  She has a great outlook, and we wish her all the best.

Hard as it was for us to attend such a benefit, we are glad we went.  We renewed old friend-ships, but it was great seeing how well Susie is doing.  We all wish her the best.