Words of thanks for Susan Crooks, our founder, from her son Will.
"Thank you for your strength—but please remember, you don’t always have to be so strong. You’re allowed to rest, to lean, to exhale. I’m here, always, ready to help carry the weight when it feels too heavy.
Thank you for your kindness, for your generous heart. In a world where such grace is rare, you give freely—abundantly—with no expectation in return. The love you offer is a force of nature: steady, nurturing, and unshakable. You’ve stood by me in ways that are beyond extraordinary. I’ve never known anyone who gives like you do—with such tireless devotion and courage.
Thank you for supporting me when I walked away from grad school to chase a dream. Thank you for standing by me during the uncertain years, when I was just trying to find my place. Your belief in me never wavered, even when mine did. You have been my constant cheerleader, my champion, my safe haven.
When anxiety overtook me, you stepped in—calling doctors, researching treatments, sitting with me in the darkest hours. You never turned away. You’ve walked with me through my hardest moments, never letting go. You made sure I always felt loved, even when I struggled to love myself. Many people never receive this from their mothers—if I’m being honest, most don’t. And that makes me even more grateful. I am beyond lucky to call you mine.
Whenever I meet someone who knows you, I see the impact you’ve had on their lives. You change people—quietly, profoundly, for the better. Your time is precious. Your life is precious. You are valuable—not for what you give, but simply for who you are. Even in stillness, even in silence—you are enough.
You deserve rest. You deserve peace. You deserve to be cared for, as deeply as you care for others. You deserve joy. You deserve to be seen the way I see you—with reverence, with awe, with unconditional love.
So when you’re feeling tired, or like you’re not enough, please read this. Let it remind you of who you are—my mother, my hero, the best gift I could ever have been given.
With all my love, always Will."
