We are the hero of our own story. ~Mary McCarthy

           Susan Lynn Brown

June 17, 1955 - March 11, 2004

                                                                    This page is dedicated to Suzie Brown.  Suzie fought for two and a half years against inflammatory breast cancer.  Her story is one of the most inspiring I have ever known.  She was dedicated to her career as a children's social worker.  She ran the L.A. marathon despite having type one diabetes.  She was fortunate to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch through San Fernando.  Everyone who knew Suzie loved her.

The Starfish Story
adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley
1907 - 1977
 

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

Links for Suzie:

www.ibcresearch.org - For information regarding inflammatory breast cancer.

www.ibcmemorial.org/susie.html - An online memorial for Suzie.