Dear Mom, Grannie, Suzuko,
You were very special to all of us and we miss you every day. We enjoyed having a little Memorial for you yesterday and reminiscing through photos, memories, and Granny related objects.
Thank you so much for blessing all of our lives with kindness, fun, and the uniqueness that is you.
Give Dad and everyone up there big hugs from us. We love you forever! And we hope to see you again one day!
❤️❤️❤️❤️☀️

Whew, what a wonderful and heartfelt tribute from Connor!
Well, over the past year, my beloved Kim has made the journey to the Other shore” , joining you and so many of our loved ones.
It is reassuring to feel that you are all reunited sharing the the love and joy that you lovingly shared.
My love to you and to all there with you

Hey Granny,

Here we are again. Another year has gone by. I cannot believe it has been 10 years since you passed.

I still remember the day vividly. Mom called me to come over…she knew it was finally your time to go. As usual, we parked in the driveway and entered through the garage in the basement. Then, I walked upstairs into your living room.

For the past few days or weeks, you hadn’t really been too responsive (at least to other people). You were mostly bedridden in the living room. You were there physically — not so much mentally. But when I walked into the room that day, I remember you moved your eyes and head towards me. Maybe it makes me feel good to think you knew it was me, or maybe you did know it was me.

I’d like to think the latter. Because I will never forget the words you said to me when I came over to say hi to you. As usual, we did our special handshake. I still remember how your hands feel and look. The shape of your fingernails. The weird way your fingernails kind of looked they belonged to Dracula, they were so thin and long haha. Forgive me for saying that. Anyway, if you showed me a photo of a thousand different hands, I would be able to spot yours instantly.

“You were my lucky charm. I love you every which way. I appreciate you.” Those were the final words you said to me. No Hollywood film could write it better than that. So simple. So poetic. So beautiful. So real.

Well Granny, you were my lucky charm. No doubt about that. What more could a kid ask for? You spoiled me with ramen, canned pears, butterscotch candy, back rubs, chicken tenders, Hot Cheetos, and Pokemon cards, just to name a few.

Most importantly, you gave me so much love. Endlessly. Without complaint.

And you filled my life with play. We played baseball inside your living room, and in the park like normal people. We played pool and ping pong and tennis. You turned my house into a concert hall by singing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America whenever you weren’t cooking or cleaning or taking care of me.

I don’t know what I did to earn the privilege of being loved by you, but believe me, I am the lucky one here. Your love has been the lucky charm that has allowed me to grow into a loving young man. A man with a generous spirit, an open heart, an attentive ear, and a desire to be of service to others. A man that is not closed off to expressing or receiving affection, physical touch, or hearty approbation. A man who matured into the world feeling pretty whole and loved from the start — thanks to you.

Thank you for being my best friend for the first 24 years of my life. I didn’t know it until you passed. It is a funny truth of the human condition that it takes loss to realize what we had. And it sucks that as time goes on, the more I want to have another conversation with you. I wish I could show you the man I am today. I wish I could hug you and spoil you and take care of you. I wish I could sit and listen to you. I wish I could love you in every which way, but this time as a man, not as a kid.

I love you Granny. I would not be the same person without you. You spoiled me rotten. And I am so lucky. I am scared to think of my next lifetime, because in this one, I got it so good. I fear the cosmic scales will balance out in a future lifetime, so I am gonna keep appreciating this one.

I recently realized how important of a role you and Bumpy played in my existence as a human being. Not only because you took care of me as my grandparents. But because everything you went through in your life to create the structure for my future existence. I know my parents gave birth to me, but I know you know what I mean. You are a huge reason I was ever born, let alone a huge reason I stayed alive and thrived.

I have a million more words to say. But like you told me in Peru one night, “I already know.”

Thank you for watching over me, incarnate and from the beyond. I know you are with me. I think of you often. Your photo is in my room and I look at you every day.

May I have the privilege of taking care of you in the next life Granny. May I have the honor of showering you with love, teaching you about play, and demonstrating a generosity that you can share with others as you grow up this time.

I hope to meet you again Granny. And I hope to know it’s you when I meet you again. And I hope you know it’s me.

We had some great times together. We really did. Thank you Granny. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I love you.

- Connor

Hey Granny!

Well, here we are again a year later. Looking back on my tributes to you the last few years, I set the bar quite high for myself haha, so I am under pressure to deliver something beautiful again!

How is it going in heaven? What exactly do you do all day?

Remember that time when I fell asleep at the wheel when driving next to a cliff in Yosemite? I am sure you do. Maybe that was you who woke me up. Thanks for that. It’s nice to be alive still, although I am certainly not opposed to seeing you again soon.

When I think of you Granny, I think of love, warmth, hospitality, generosity, humor, selflessness, massages, tuna melts, canned pears, baseball, tennis, fish n’ chips, ramen, fried chicken, soy sauce, rice cookers, wax hands, piano recitals, Star Spangled Banner, laughter, Christmas, and so much more.

It’s funny…sometimes I have dreams about you. And sometimes we get to have conversations. Honestly, I can’t remember what those dreams were about. But it’s nice to wake up feeling like I got to hang out with you again. It’s a weird thing that I can get the feeling of being with you through a dream. That’s the best I can consciously get right now, so I will take it.

Tonight I watched a wrestling show. Thanks for letting me watch wrestling, even though my parents never allowed it.

Granny…thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Guess what I will do this week? Make eggs and rice. You knew that. Heck, I may even make a tuna melt. And put eggs and rice inside of it. And then put it all in a bowl of ramen. And add some pears. And put fish n’ chips on top. No, that’d be excessive.

Alright Granny, clearly I am beginning to lose my mind. So…I am going to wrap this up.

Granny, will you please continue to stay close by my side as I walk this planet as Connor? Will you give me a gentle knock upside the head when I am going astray? Will you deliver those curious clues when I am on the right path? Will you please guide me to becoming wise, to doing all the work my soul came here to do this time around? Can you please ask God if you can be my grandmother again? I’d really like that. Can you please help me orchestrate a beautiful life? I need your help, I need your love, I need your care, I need your presence…still. And I always will.

Granny, when I pass, I hope people are able to say that I loved them as much as you did. I hope my love makes a timeless impact in the heart of other human beings, like your love did. I hit the frickin’ grandmother jackpot with you.

I would say “I want you to know…” but you already told me that you know. Nevertheless, I want you to know that I love you. I love you Granny. I absolutely love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

I can genuinely say that my life has been beautiful, and you are a huge huge reason why. Grow up jaded I did not. Grew up spoiled I did haha. Thank you for that. I seriously owe you one.

I am lucky. Blessed. Beyond all comprehension.

Granny, let’s play baseball in heaven. Let’s eat ramen and watch tennis. Let’s sing the Star Spangled Banner. Let’s make stupid jokes together. Let’s ask everyone in heaven about the stories of their human lives. Let’s make everyone a steaming hot pot of rice. Let’s team up as angels and help guide other humans through the planet.

I don’t know how the universe works. And I don’t know why we ended up in each other’s life. But god damn, I am not complaining. I had it real good with you.

I think I have a few big prayers that I need your help with. Please Granny, help me make the absolute most of this life that I have been gifted. Help me live up to my potential. Just help me to carry out my unique role in the universe. And help me love. Help me love as big as you did. Help me radiate a palpable warmth to every human that stumbles into my life. Service and love, Granny. That’s all. That’s what you did for me, and that’s what I am asking your help with as I move into my 32nd year of life and beyond. Can you believe that I turn 32 years in 2 months? I am almost as old as you now!!! Haha just kidding.

Known by some as Suzuko Nakai Alves. Granny Sue. Big Sue. Boss.

Known to me as Granny. The one, the only Granny. The best frickin' Granny that ever walked this Earth.

I love you.

Here’s to our continued journey together, in this life and our next lives.

- Connor

Hey Granny,

I just looked through an entire photo album of you...393 photos! I found some old gems in there -- my mom recorded many videos of you to send to me when I was studying Spain. I don't remember seeing those videos...watching them was special. I kept replaying this one video in which you said, "Well Connor...I love you very very much." Looking at all of our photos, you can tell how strong our bond was. You were my best friend! I look forward to sitting by the fire with you in heaven, making s'mores together while we reminisce on our time together on Planet Earth. It's crazy to think that these memories might disappear when I die...it's painful to think that we might never experience the same situation again, me being Connor and you being my Granny. How could that be that we only get to do this once? Well, once was enough, but I will always long for more. I was so blessed to have you as my Grandmother, and I would do anything to receive your love again. If the tables ever turn and I become the grandmother and you become the grandson, it would be the honor of all my lifetimes to love you like you loved me when I was little Connor.

I know you are still around, Granny. You recognized me when I walked in the room on the day of your passing 8 years ago, yet you hadn't said a word or given many signs of life for the days before that. You felt me walk into the room, though. And after I left the house that day, you passed away before I made it 2 minutes from your house. + You visited me when I was in the Amazonian jungle in Peru. + You visited me when I was deep in meditation at a retreat. + You visited me when I first moved to LA and was staying at Gavin's house. Remember when you made that painting that you gave them fall off their wall because I didn't take my shoes off when I entered their home? You are clever ;)

Tonight, as always, I made eggs and rice with extra soy sauce for dinner! For lunch, I ate a juicy cheeseburger and took some bites just for you! I also ate a big piece of pie - thanks for giving me an excuse to indulge. I know you would approve ;) I plan to get a massage soon, although it will be nowhere as good as the luscious Lubriderm massages you used to give me all the time (while Bumpy impatiently yelled at you, "Sue, it's time to go home. NOW!") Today, I shot some hoops for you too - I remembered to PLAY, just like you taught me! I also made an offering to you on my altar: dates, cherries, chocolate, and nuts.

Granny, I love you more than life itself. Thank you for being goofy. Thank you for choosing to love me so damn hard. May I hear you sing the Star Spangled Banner again in heaven. May we eat Fish N Chips and watch tennis. May we laugh until our faces fall flat in a bowl of hot ramen.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I will never ever forget you. Thank you for filling my life with so much love. The pain of losing you, the pain of not knowing if we will ever meet again...it's real, but it's a pain I bear graciously. Because the pain of never having you in my life at all would be far more unbearable. 

Thinking of you today reminds me how precious life is and how lucky I am. May we meet again, Granny. I love you.

Thinking of you, Auntie Sue. How time flies by! Love to Uncle Bob and his Bruins!

Hi Mom!
I miss you so much every day. You and Dad were the bombs! You both gave so much joy and love and fun to all of us. I loved and appreciated you both while you were here but that appreciation grows exponentially every day as life and time march on. I would give anything to have one more day with you both. Until we meet again, thank you for everything. I love you and miss you so much! ❤️❤️

Dear Suzuko-san,
Although I did not have the honor of meeting you, Susan is very much like you and through her and Connor's writings, I feel I have learned much about you. My regret is not being able to have met you.
God be with you and your family.
Blessings,
Irene

Hi Granny,

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for every day that we played together--pool, ping pong, tennis, soccer, baseball, and every made-up game around the house.

Thank you for letting me watch wrestling in the backroom although my parents didn't want me to.

Thank you for every delicious meal that you cooked for me--eggs and rice, chicken, ramen, tuna melts--and of course for all the cookies and candies that you gave to me, especially nerds ropes and canned pears!

Thank you for giving me thousands of backrubs when my body was tired from sports!

Thank you for your sense of humor, I can still see your signature mischievous look on your face!

Thank you for teaching me the power of understanding what's underneath my emotions and my stories.

I would do absolutely anything to spend another day with you. To turn the tables and give you all the love I have in the world. To cook you a meal, give you a backrub, sing the Star Spangled Banner to you. To do our nifty special handshake.

There are so many things I want to say and tell you, but I already know that you know. Your picture is always framed in my room, so we get to look at each other every day.

Thank you for everything you went through in your life, all the pain and struggle and heartbreak, for I know that in some way it was a requirement for you to eventually become a part of my life.

May I always remember to PLAY, as we did together so much. May I be open enough to hear when you are whispering to me. May I be wise enough to live as you would. May I be as generous and loving as you would. May I be present with others as you would, compassionately concerned and ready to offer my help. May I fill others' lives with love, friends and family alike, as you would.

I will forever miss you. I will forever love you. I will forever cherish every day we spent together. I hope and pray that we can meet again, remembering the times we shared together as Connor and Granny Sue.

Thank you, Granny. I love you more than I know, more than you know, and far more than words can ever express.

Thank you for believing in me since the day I was born. Thank you for knowing that I would be handsome when everyone said I was an ugly baby! 

I can't imagine this life without you, Granny.

Thank you for being my best friend.

I love you.

- Connor

Wishing you a happy birthday, Aunt Sue! Gavin and I had a great time with the family - Susan, Jerome, Connor, Amy and Ken, in Yosemite! I'm sure that you, Uncle Bob and my folks were there, too! My love to you and all of our loved ones!

Love,
Asao

Dear Susan,
Thinking of you. Can't believe it's been 6 years already. Know that our thoughts are with you. Bless you and your family.
Love,
Irene and Hank

Dear Auntie Sue,

I miss our visits especially my trips up North. But, I have many precious memories of you and Uncle Bob. How fortunate to share your life experiences and wisdom. You helped to engage me in the moment and value our relationships. There must be a wonderful reunion over there!
With thanks and love, Asao

Hi Sue:

I know that you, Bob and Harold are having a wonderful time together like the good old days. I look forward to us being together again so we can continue the party. Until then...... A Hui Hou! Loretta

Hi Granny,

I love you! As I sit here eating eggs and rice, our favorite comfort food, I remember every time you made it for me as a kid. You so exquistely made eggs, with a splash of soy sauce to give it a flavorful pop. Today, I eat it slightly different, with black forbidden rice! I wonder how you would enjoy it if you were here. As my tears drip into my food while I write this, I still remember the last words you said to me as you held my hand, "You were my lucky charm. I love you every which way. I appreciate you." Perhaps no more beautiful words have ever been uttered by any human. I grew up thinking I had no best true best friends who stood over time, only to realize you were my best friend the entire time. Thank you for taking me to play ball everywhere. Without you, I would be no star athlete. I certainly wouldn't have the kind thoughtful listening heart that genuinely cares about others. Nor would I have the worrying genes that you passed on! Dare I say I love you more than life itself. I hope you are resting in peace. Thank you for being in my life. I hope I am making you proud. Tell Bumpy hello and I love him too. You might know this, but I have your pictures in my room, and I look at you everyday. I can't imagine life without you. You filled my heart and childhood with love. Thank you for believing in my good looks while others thought I was fat and looked like a Kurdish refuge. I know you are still here in some way, and I can't wait to shoot pool, play baseball, and eat ramen with you again one day. Bryce and I would pay a billion dollars to hear you make fun of the way Chinese people speak, especially if in front of my parents like they hated! We know this humor came from a good place :) Thank you for teaching me to be generous in spirit, to hospitably welcome others into our homes and our lives, and the power of being mentally tough. Although I could never get a root canal without pain killers like you did, I still act mentally strong in your honor :) I LOVE YOU! Thank you. You were my lucky charm too, and I still love you in every which way. I appreciate you, Granny!

With a heavy and full heart,
Your Second Grandson Connor

❤️❤️
Thinking of you Mom on this day and every day. A mother is loved and missed every day. Love you and miss you. Thank you for being in our lives  ❤️❤️

Thank you Granny Sue for your legacy...of Starr your spirit of thoughtfulness has continued through her ... and passed down to Bryce and Connor. I witness their kindness and think of you often ! Miss you every time I use my platters and rice cooker ! Say Hi to Bumpy too xoxox

Hi Mom,
Thinking of you and missing you every day. Thank you for all the love and fun. Your spirit is with us always. Thinking of you makes us smile and chuckle! ❤️❤️

Love you always, Mom!

We miss you Mama Sue & have so many wonderful memories of you and Bob at your home in Daly City.Someday we'll meet & drink Yuban coffee again.Love Gloria and Les Rivera of Vancouver,Washington

Hi Sue:

YIPES!!!!!!!!!Can't believe it's already been four years since you left us.
It's still hard to look across the street, see your house and not be able to run over for a bite or just to chat. You and Bob are so missed. We look forward to the day we are all together again and can continue the celebration. With our love, The Nekotas

Hi Mom!
Yep, we are still missing you! We love you so much and thank you and Dad for all the great memories, love, and laughter. Things just aren’t the same without you and Dad. I hope you two are continuing to have fun. One day, I hope we can all have fun together again. Love and Hugs! XXXXOOOO

Thinking of Grandma Sue today. I can hear her voice and see her smile and wicked chuckle. I always wished my kids had a grandma like you. Sending love to all those who miss you every day.

Dear Mom,
Not a day goes by when we don't think about you, love you, and miss you. Thoughts of you make us all smile and also make us tear up at the same time. Please know that you truly will be forever missed. We love you. Thank you for being such a fierce, loving and fun force.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Sue! We're happy to have Connor in L.A.! 

love,

asao

Hi Sue, it's been two years already? Time flies too swiftly. I think about you often, remembering you each time I pass by your address, and every time I visit my mom whom I am still blessed to have in my life. I wonder if you know how much you are loved. Miss you very much. I miss Bob too. Thanks for being such a huge part of my life. 
xoxo Nomi/ Na....ps, Connor reminds me so much of my son, Ben.

Love to you Aunt Sue and to all of your family and friends there with you.

How fast the time passes...You are not forgotten, and more in our thoughts each day.

Hi Mom,
On this 2nd Anniversary of the day you journeyed to heaven, know that your light shines brightly every day and your spirit surrounds us always!  We think of you often and smile imagining what you would say or do in different situations! We all miss you and love you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hi Mom,
I am sending you this Birthday Candle today to let you know that I am thinking about you on this special day and missing you and our many years of celebrating your Birthdays. I love you. XXOO

Hi Mom,
I am still missing you very much. I am sorry to tell you that one of your favorite cousins, Yoshiko Golden passed away last year. I was just notified about her but you probably knew that before I found out. I bet you two are singing and laughing away up there! Love to you and Dad! I miss you both sooo much! XXOO Susan

A year has already passed, but the wonderful memories are ever present of Bob & Sue. Each time I speak with Susan, Connor or Bryce reminds me of the great times spent together. Time does help heal the wound, but it never closes. It seems that time passes so much more quickly as I grow older, but family memories grow warmer & fonder. I am so blessed with my California family; thank you for all of you.

Love you "bunches"

Dear Susan and Scott,
I can't believe it's been a year. Your mom was loved by many indeed. She was such a huge influence in my life as I was growing up and she was a place of sanctuary for me as I was in her presence. I will always have her close in my heart and your dad too, and all the times spent at your house as we grew up and shared so many memories. Love to you both, Na/ Nomi

Dear Susan,
Thinking of you and your family this day. How fast the year has gone by. May the memories you have of your parents keep you and bring you comfort.

Mom,
I miss you and Dad everyday. I look at the many pictures of many memories and I can't believe that I can't see you or talk to you and that a year has already passed. I am so grateful for all the times and years we had and so grateful that my sons were lucky enough to have such loving grandparents in their lives everyday. Thank you, Mom and Dad for the fun, laughs, and love. I miss you. XXOO

This morning on my drive to my weekly golf game I was stopped at a signal and the license on the car in front of me had a Serramonte license frame. While sitting at the signal, I thought of Auntie Sue and the wonderful memories and visits with her and the family up north. 
How appropriate on her 88th birthday! Miss you, Sue, and Uncle Bob.
Love always

Hi Mom, Granny, Lady Samurai,
We are thinking of you today! We had a cake with birthday candles for breakfast in your honor, sang Happy Birthday to you and dedicated a few "Banzais!" We miss you every day! This is the first birthday where we don't get to see you blow out the candles. We miss you and Dad and are all so grateful for the wonderful, fun, love, and happy times that we all shared together. Thank you, Mom and Dad! We love you! Happy Birthday, Mom! Xxoo

Dearest Big Sue,
I'd like to think that you and my Mom are shopping at Tanforan today, laughing together and going out for a Birthday Luncheon afterwards. Have a great time and get good bargains!
I love and miss you both, Mimi

Thinking of you on your day. While I did not have the honor of meeting you. I have learned about you through Susan. Susan is a testament of your strength, humor and generosity. Thank you.

Happy Birthday Sue - sure do miss you - time surely does fly
Love Lorraine

My very dear and special friend Sue,

You are a one of a kind person with all the best qualities one could possess.  Sue, you always had such a beautiful smile – a smile that was infectious.

Our family was so saddened by the news of your passing. Our heartfelt thoughts are with Susan, Scott and their families.

Yo first met Bob at Percy’s in L.A. Lucky for us, that’s how we became friends forever with you and Bob. You were a great couple. You both were so warm and kind to Yo and I and our kids whenever we visited. Many years have passed since then, but the special person that you are will always live in our hearts.

I’ll miss you and all the talks we shared over the phone. You’ll always be in our family’s hearts and thoughts! Thanks so much for the wonderful years of friendship!

Love, Sachi of Norwalk

Since learning of the passing of Big Sue, Grandma-san Sue, and my friend, Sue, my mind has been swirling with so many memories:

• Her crinkled brow as she listened to me during one of our very profound
    conversations, seemingly always ever so slightly worried.
• Her giant welcoming smile and hugs as I/we arrived at # 7 Montebello.
• Her evident pride in each and every accomplishment of Bob, Scott, and
    Susan; later in Jerome, Bryce and Connor.
• The delighted faces and gracious welcoming smiles of Sue and Bob on
    their daughter’s wedding day. One would think that they had “discovered”
    Jerome and arranged the marriage all on their own.
• The epic level of worrying that accompanied preparations for
    Susan’s Graduation Party after attainment of her MSN. Were the flowers
    really the correct colors of UC Blue and Gold?!
• Sue’s enormous pride and interest in all of her grandchildren, both real
    and “adopted”.
• How my kids shrieked with delight at the arrival of yet another amazing,
    thoughtful, and personalized holiday gift from Grandma-san Sue and
    Grandpa-san Bob (a.k.a. “Grumpy”). To this day, my kids think that they
    are part Japagese!
• The furious packaging that preceded one of our trips back home. We were
    not allowed to leave without enough food, beverage, and entertainment
    items to traverse the Mojave Desert by wagon train—even though we were
    only driving from Daly City or Pacifica to Santa Barbara.
• Sue’s tremendous kindness in befriending my widowed and lonely Mom,
    becoming her NBF and taking her on so many wonderful adventures, to
    Tanforan/JCP, and Beyond!

Most of all, my family and I will always remember Sue as the embodiment of love, family, and caring.

Susan, Jerome, Bryce, Connor, and all of the rest of your family and extended family, you truly were and are blessed to have had such an enduring force of love in your lives. Together you allowed Big Sue to stay at home and to live her remaining days on her terms, despite so many obstacles. We salute you for this, and we grieve with you in your loss. We can just see Sue in Heaven now, whipping up a little snack for Bob as he reclines in his favorite chair.

Love always, Mimi, John, Evan and Erin

The world has lost a genuinely kind and caring soul, whose impact was felt all who came into contact with Auntie Sue. Although it'd been some time since I visited with her and Uncle Bob, I'll always warmly recall my family's visits to Daly City. Scott and Susan, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Scott and Susan,

For four years, a long long time ago, your Mom and Dad were like my Mom and Dad, and I have never forgotten how blessed I felt then. I am still blessed having been a part of your family and though my heart feels a little less full tonight, I am smiling at the memories we shared and the love I will always carry for all of you no matter where I go. My prayers are with you, that you may find solace in knowing how much your Mom and Dad were loved by so many. 

Plus, they were pretty funny! Somewhere, I have a photo of your Dad walking by with a saucepan on his head and one of your Mom with a bunch of Christmas bows piled on top of hers! I laughed a lot at your house....thank you for that!!

Tonia

Sue......There is such and emptiness in our hearts every time we look at your house from our bedroom and know that you are no longer there. We know the last few weeks of your life were difficult but you always managed to give us a smile when we visited and we thank you for that. You were our perfect friend and neighbor for the past 45 years. Our families were like one and the same. We miss you a lot and look forward to being with you and Bob again in the future. So until then, we send you our love.  Harold and Loretta

Susan & Scott, Though it has been many, many years since I last chatted with your mom I still have vivid memories of her from childhood. She was always kind to me and had such a nice laugh. I remember how she loved to roam the flea markets...something I still do to this day. She always called me Fritzi, even long after I had grown up and nobody called me that anymore and that made me smile. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Susan, Scott & Family…
We wanted to let you know how much we loved and will miss your
mom.  Auntie Sue and Uncle Bob, the two of them will always
remain in our hearts and memories forever !!! We have many fond
memories of all the times we spent reminiscing and sharing all our
life experiences together. We have to be truly grateful to their
generation for the life they have provided us. How fortunate we
were to have them in our lives. Family the ultimate riches in life !!!
Cousins…Yuji and Meiko

Auntie Sue! What a journey she had in life and what a trip she was!
I always looked forward to any visit with Auntie Sue as I never knew what she would say, do and tell me during that time. Down to earth, genuine, and speaking her mind, she was never one to mince words, she "told it like it was" and I loved that about her. Most of all, was her compassion and understanding of things that you could talk to her about for hours and she "got it". I loved her insight and her curiosity about life, and issues in it and her ability to have a grounded opinion on lots of things. And when she didn't know she would just give that little chuckle of a laugh. Ah yes, that Nakai chuckle and the Nakai furrow of her brow and that look on her face which was priceless. I am going to miss Auntie Sue, but she will never be forgotten, (nor will Uncle Bob); they were pioneers in life who left a deep impression on me that will always be within me and i am a better man for having had them in my life.

Oh Susan. It is so sorrowful to know that Granny Sue is not here anymore. From the tiger cub days where Granny Sue would come hang with all of us while our wild ones played to when all the wee ones were entering the world as adults, she was such a constant presence. I often marveled at her...complete "grannieness" and envied your children so. I wished she could be my mom and that my children could be her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren so but somehow managed to make any stray child in her vicinity feel just like one of hers. She always treated me like a family member and gathered my grandparentless children to her so easily. Love and giving came so easily to her and your father. I know family sees everything, warts and all, but from the outside looking in, you were so blessed, always. You were a wonderful daughter and oh, you are your mother's daughter!. May we both grow old with the same grace and continued lust for life that she had.

Thanks, Auntie Sue, for being a wonderful and special part of my life and our family. And, thanks for your love, inspiration, and presence.

Dear Susan, I was very sorry to hear about the death of your mom. I know you were very close to her. I hope you find comfort in your family, friends and your faith. Here's a prayer you might appreciate:
O God who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die;
in our grief and shock
contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion,
and grace to let go into new life,
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Michele

Susan, I never met your Mom, but heard about her from you. I know that the love that you had for her means that she will live in your heart forever. What a wonderful place to live! You also share her smile and what a gift that is for you and for those you smile at. You and your family are in my thoughts during this hard time.