Both of our girls had major graduations this year:  Hope from Oberlin College and Hannah from Walter Payton College Prep.  Jay and I couldn’t be more proud of them.  We hosted a joint graduation party in June for about 70 close friends and family members, including several honored guests like Ms. Julie Waller, the girls’ beloved second grade teacher from LaSalle Language Academy.  Jay made possible the painting of a new mural on our garage with the help of many of our guests.  It’s just about the happiest garage you’ll ever see and brings new life to our alley. 

Getting back to work on my new recording so I’ll be able to promote it in the fall when the girls are off on their adventures and Jay and I become empty-nesters.   Hope has accepted a job in Copenhagen and Hannah will be off to Macalester in St. Paul/Minneapolis August.  And yes, I will need to stay crazy busy in order to endure their absences with grace and resilience!

I hope you are able to stay sane in this crazy world with the love and support of those around you.  Making music, staying creative and working with children help me to see the world as a beautiful place and understand how very privileged I am to live in it and do the work I love. 

 Thanks to all of you for all the above.

Susan S., July 2011