Don't STOP!

"Two feet on the floor." When my children were crazy, climbing toddlers, instead of saying, "No," every time they attempted some type of altitude-related stunt, I'd say, "Two feet on the floor." For some reason, they responded immediately, changed direction, and moved forward without putting themselves in some form of danger - at least for a minute or two.

These days, my youngest, who is about to become a teenager, still sneaks upstairs in the morning to grab one last sleepy snuggle with our dogs before we face our chilly and unpredictable days. This level of mush and love and peace and warmth is so secure and deliciously heavy that it's not easy to get out of bed. So, when the snooze button goes off for the final… FINAL, "don't-hit-snooze-again-or-you'll-actually-be-late" time, we say to each other, "two feet on the floor." It's the first step we take to facing the world, even before we put one foot in front of the other and move forward with our days. "Two feet on the floor" seems like a manageable step, even when we know we'll be facing harder than usual days.

So if moving forward on a typical chilly stressful day is hard, it blows my mind and inspires me when I see someone whose world has been shaken to its core find a way move forward.

Meet Mrs. Suzie

If you HAVEN'T met Mrs. Suzie, then clearly you don't live in our town. Or maybe you don't live on the south side of our town. Or maybe you drive past the elementary school with your eyes shut. (Please don't.)

Even without her fluorescent yellow crossing guard jacket, Mrs. Suzie is nothing less than a beacon of light for all of us. She's easy to see, and she's even easier to hear. Mrs. Suzie's friendly demeanor and strong voice give even the most hermit-like, introverted "I-just-want-to-get-my-kids-dropped-off-without-having-to-talk-to-anyone" people no choice but to smile and exchange genuine, enthusiastic, over-the-top "How-do-you-do's."

Mrs. Suzie is the first person to greet our children in the morning, and the last person to wish them well as they head home. She knows every child by name - every dog, too. She keeps our children feeling safe and loved and welcomed every day. Mrs. Suzie's bright smile and over-the-top way of loving us are what I believe our town is all about. Coming together, showing up, keeping each other safe and taking care of one another. Ram Dass's "When all is said and done, we're all just walking each other home" comes to mind when I think of our town, and Mrs. Suzie, and the village of friends and neighbors who have helped guide (and drive) my babies from preschool all the way to college - not to mention literally walking each other home.

When Mrs. Suzie faced a personal tragedy last year, our whole town wanted to pour that same kind of over-the-top love and hugs and words onto her, but our way of showing her love was to offer her a little quiet time with her beautiful son. A little space.

Thankfully, Mrs. Emma, another light in our town who is normally sharing smiles and greetings and love with our children as she crosses them at another corner, stepped in and took care of us.

Yet we all wondered if Mrs. Suzie would have it in her to come back. We understood why she may need to just stop.

Somehow, a couple of days ago, our Mrs. Suzie found a way to put two feet on the floor, take one step at a time, don her fluorescent yellow jacket, wrap her fingers around that stop sign, and light up the center of our town once again. What's more, her genuine, beaming smile was back. For real. The smiles, hugs, air kisses and waves were everything our little town needed.

And Mrs. Emma? She's back at her usual corner, smiling, waving, and greeting all those bigger kids by name. Things feel about as okayish as they possibly can right now.

Mrs. Suzie, I don't know how many times over the years you've held up your sign and told me to "STOP," and I did. But I bet I'm not alone when I say I'm glad YOU didn't stop. Every time I see that stop sign held up, of course I will listen. I will stop. But now, when it comes to putting two feet on the floor and moving forward step by step, no matter what, I won't stop. Ever.

Update:

I obviously asked Mrs. Suzie to take a peek at this before I shared it with anyone. She asked me to add to following: “Can you add one more thing Elise - thanking everyone for showing Mrs Suzie extra Love when She needed it MOST losing her LIFETIME LOVE. I’m so grateful for all the support this Town gave me !!!!!” please feel free to leave a comment for Mrs. Suzie below, if you’d like.

14 Comments

Jan 22, 2022, 8:25:47 AM

Anna Karpati - Suze, I am so glad Mrs. Campbell shared this link with us. Roberge students, parents and staff are lucky to have around. I miss your smile and laughter. And yes, keep those two feet on the floor

Jan 21, 2022, 9:20:51 PM

Laura Lepore - Mrs. Suzy, I don’t know you and I love you! I am so very sad for your loss and so very happyThank you Dear Mrs. Suzy, I am so very sad for your loss and so very happy and grateful for your strength to continue looking out for my grandkids and all the other neighborhood children! I do not live in the area, so I do not know you but I love you and thank you and wish you happiness.

Jan 21, 2022, 4:20:12 PM

Mary Pinsdorf - We’re so happy to see you back …. Take one day at a time… you are truly loved❤️

Jan 21, 2022, 1:35:09 PM

Bob Nimmo - She protects our grand children every morning and afternoon and protects their parents, our children, who drop them off at Roberge. She and Mrs. Emma are true treasures of River Vale.

Jan 21, 2022, 11:30:40 AM

Jason Feinman - So glad you are back. Thank you for all you do.

Jan 21, 2022, 6:37:46 AM

Ivy Chang - Ms. Suzie, miss and love you! Elise couldn’t have said it any better! She speaks for all of us. We are so grateful to have had someone like you be a permanent part of our kids’ childhood memories. If I haven’t told you before, thank you for everything that you do.

Jan 20, 2022, 11:06:33 PM

Sabrina and Justin (Bieber as you called him!) - What a beautiful tribute. Miss Susie, River Vale is so lucky to have you. You are truly a ray of light and energy. Sending you hugs and strength.

Jan 20, 2022, 7:46:58 PM

Kim Ullrich - I love you & miss you. Kevin & I always talk about our unexpected DQ date. Keep those feet on the ground, one step at a time, Al will always be your guardian angel.

Jan 20, 2022, 7:06:20 PM

Michele Rosenbach - Mrs Susie thank you so much for sharing your smile with our town ❤️ You are such a beacon of light and my boys LOVE your spirit and kindness beyond words!! We are blessed to have you in our hometown. Love, Michele, Chris, Derek, Blake and Mason

Jan 20, 2022, 6:31:35 PM

Lisa Greco - What a beautiful tribute to a woman we all care about so much! Miss Suzie you have protected and greeted our little ones every single day with nothing but happiness, encouragement and kind words! Thank you!!!

Jan 20, 2022, 2:38:27 PM

Bridget Grant - Elise you are thoughtfulness personified. We’ve joked about the two of us not having everything together, feeling scattered at times. But if you ask me you always take the time to focus about the right things. Lifting and lighting up Ms. Susie I can’t think of a better use of your time today. Thank you for being you! This town needs you too! Ms. Susie. You are our sunshine. We love you and it was wonderful to see you again! One day at a time two feet on the floor. Your love will carry you thru the rest.

Jan 20, 2022, 2:31:42 PM

Maryann Esola - Absolutely beautiful read. We all need a Mrs Susie in our life. Her love is big as her personality and her soul is genuine. She made my Roberge years so much brighter by just seeing her smiling face and telling me “ don’t worry about my son , he will be fine” and now he is in high school and he is just fine.. We love you , Mrs Susie

Jan 20, 2022, 1:59:26 PM

Denise Morrissey - Love, love LOVE YOU and miss you so much. Big hugs to you Suzie!!

Jan 20, 2022, 1:24:32 PM

Jacqueline Finch - This truly sums up how everyone in town feels about you. I am so happy to hear that you are back. We all love you

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Don't STOP

Don't STOP!

Meet Mrs. Suzie

And Mrs. Emma? She's back at her usual corner, smiling, waving, and greeting all those bigger kids by name. Things feel about as okayish as they possibly can right now.

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