Why I built this site

In some ways, the life of Susan Barnes was not what it seemed.

People who lived near her often did not realize that she was so well-loved by so many friends around the world, people who met her in different contexts, in different groups, both online and off, but always felt and remembered the warmth of her personality, her spirit, her approach to life.

I first knew Susan Barnes as "Alaska," before she was a doctor, and before she ever moved to Alaska, a dream she held in her heart for a long time, a dream she got to live. It's so hard to believe I've known her for 10 years now and lived vicariously through her many adventures, some more harrowing than others.

Here's a recent picture she loved of her Alaska home:

I built this site after talking to others who have known her online, who are grieving at the loss, all around the world. We can't come to a funeral service, and Susan lived in Haines, Alaska, which is too remote to get to even if we could (although she always wanted us to come and visit on vacation!).

Looking at this picture, you can see why. Click on it to see a larger version, to better see the moose and swans in the background.

But if Susan lived as fully in the virtual world as in the physical, then maybe this can be a place where we can remember her in our own kind of memorial service in cyberspace, a place to gather our memories, pictures, and thoughts for someone who was a very special lady.

I still can't believe her voice, her presence, is gone, that she won't just pop into my email box with another tale, pictures of her "boxer girls," or just some wry commentary on my usual BS.

I wanted to make a place where we can celebrate her life, even the invisible parts of her life, hidden across the web of cyberspace, beneath the tip of her Alaskan iceberg.

So here's a place for us to remember her, and we can't have a memorial service without some music, and here's something to play as you visit the site.

Download MP3 of Jennifer Nettles, "A Place for You."

Don't forget to sign the guestbook! And if you have photos, music, or your own artwork to share, send them on and I'll add them to the mix.

Welcome.

Chris Boese

Comments

[Betsy Book]

Thanks for building the site, Chris.

[Hosanna]

I am uncertain whether this will make it through the site....but I will try. Saturday at 6:30 the Anchorage Community will be hosting a "sing-a-long' and potluck to honor "our Susan".
Had she only been able to recieve,this love, that is so expressed nationally on this site! I am humbled, and it is our privilege to pay tribute to her. I am not a writer. After her Celebration of Life, I will ask someone to assist me in putting down the history of these last 3 weeks.
I loved reading oysters, chocolate, and martini's! This, after we had them on the menu for Saturday.Xena and friends, pictures etc will be there too!
You all will be there with us and we will toast you, with Susan, at 7:00. Alaska time. We have her here and will take her to Homer before the snow flies, along with Junebug and Maggie.
We remain grateful andthank you for all of your many supports. Namaste, Hosanna