Susan LeVine

is honored with a Brick from Ali, Susannah & Eva LeVine

Why You Are Our Heroine

Because you waddled down the road, pregnant with Ali, carrying Eva and Susannah under each arm to escape an angry dog.
Because of your roasted turkey breasts and resulting turkey soup.
Because of noodle kugel.
Because of red Reeboks and purple Birkenstocks.
Because you said everything would look better in the morning, and you were usually right.
Because of the conference dress.
Because you had excellent vacuum cleaner repair skills.
Because you said, "A clean house is a sign of a misspent life."
Because of your shiny electric teal unitard.
Because you hated making Halloween costumes.
Because maple long john donuts and the skating rink was our best day ever.
Because of the thousands of afternoons at the pool.
Because you made us re-prove our swimming skills every year before we were allowed in the deep end.
Because of your big blue van.
Because you played folk songs on your 12-string guitar so we could dance along.
Because you got up every morning at 6 to run on the treadmill.
Because you made us hide the peanut butter from you while you were dieting.
Because you rode horses with Eva in the backpack.
Because of the "Mom look."
Because our own hands are our best tools.
Because you saved Eva from a mean math teacher.
Because you called the principal by his first name.
Because we don't fight over bits of food.
Because it's important to act good (and act well).
Because of the "a sister is a friend forever" plaque.
Because of the bear hat.
Because you spread the quilt out so we could picnic in the tv room.
Because you refused to iron, and stuck to it.
Because you weren't afraid of bad words.
Because you didn't believe in power struggles over report cards or fashion statements.
Because we could choose milk or water (water is the juice of life!).
Because if it's 30 degrees or below, we have to wear down coats.
Because of school blankets.
Because you always brought a snack.
Because you laughed at our bad jokes and applauded our songs.
Because you told us to never play helpless.
Because of Old Man Society cars.
Because of tofu salad sandwiches and carrot juice.
Because, at 67, you can still do the splits.
Because it's never too late to become a famous painter.
Because we all should be eating more protein.
Because of enormous stuffed animals.
Because happiness is a good book and a feline companion.
Because the garage door has never been the same.
Because you are an English maven, a personal trainer, a yoga teacher and a webmaster.
Because jelly beans and orange slices should be a food group.
Because you sing to your cats.
Because you could make toasted cheese sandwiches taste like fine dining.
Because you are our best!

We love you so much, Mom! Love, Eva, Susannah, and Ali.