"Sue, Your Geese Flew Over, Love Laura"

(note: Rev. 2 includes some minor typo corrections as well as a few additional photos.)



On August 20, 2006 my youngest sister, Suzanne Weiland, was murdered by an abusive boyfriend she had been trying to leave. Her death has shattered our family, and caused unimaginable grief for her many close friends who loved her.



This book is a celebration of Suzanne's life. A monument to the tragedy of domestic violence, a reminder of what we lost that August morning. And inside I hope you'll find a message of hope; a lesson of loving without hesitation and making sure every moment counts. Because you never really know when that final moment will be.



for: Ron and Mary; my parents whose suffering I cannot relieve.

I hope you find as much comfort reading this, as I did creating it.



I cannot claim full authorship of this book, It is more an anthology of collected essays by several writers inspired by Sue's life and our loss. I've included text of the eulogies written by Ronnie Angelus and Rachel Myers. And there's a chapter of articles written by Laura Young, the life-coach, photographer and muse whose work so touched us in the final hours of Sue's life.



Ever the producer, I pull all this together to paint a picture of Sue's life; to create a record and share it with you. My hope is one day years from now, you'll stumble upon this book and leaf through its pages and remember Sue,. And smile. She'd like that.



A special 'Thank You' to Alberto Aguillar who took many of the photos in the back half of this book, including the two amazing pictures of the trumpeter swans.

And finally, 'Thank You' to Laura Young, whose inspired writing was the last gift I shared with Sue.



This book is my way of remembering Sue. To capture the essence of her spirit. And to set it free.



Patrick Weiland, Los Angeles