Final post on Susan's modeling Adventure

 The final post on Susan's modeling adventure:

After coming back to New York from Europe, Susan picked up right where she left off, but now her portifolio was much more impressive. At one point she changed agencies.. that probably helped some but who knows. Modeling is a very difficult career in that if you don't have a stiff backbone and a drive that's top-notch it's hard. Susan is that gentle, kind-hearted, do anything for you southern lady. Being that kind of gal made it hard to make her mark over more aggresive girls.

a photo shoot done in 1987

But, she worked. She did modeling for Macy's Department Store,  runway for fashion week, catolog photos for several companies, was in Glamour magazine as well as Cosmopolitan mag. Women's World and several others. 

She had a national commerical for Ban deodorant and a whiskey company of which I can not recall right now.

A snapshot taken when the commercial was playing on tv. 

 She was on the cover of some books that were published. This one is my favorite. 

She shot in St. Croix, Chicago, New York and several other places. It was all exciting for her and her family was so proud of her. 

She got engaged to that boyfriend I told you about... they were married at Old First Church in Bennington, Vermont in 1989. It was a gorgeous wedding. 

Susan and her Dad entering the church

They had their first son in 1991, moved to the suburbs. Didn't want to raise a family in the city. Fourteen months later another son joined them. Susan was still working even though she was now a wife and mom. But, then everything changed.

The youngest baby was diagnosed with autism at age 18 months. We all were devastated. He needed constant care, 24/7 and still does to this day. He will celebrate his 32nd birthday in April. 

So much of Susan's time and energy has gone into O's care. On top of that she and her husband started a small organization out of their home to help educate, give resources to and fight for better legistation for autism on the national level. As you might assume, it grew out of their house and eventually joined with a couple other groups and formed what is known as Autism Speaks. The two of them over the years have raised around 20 million dollars for Autism Speaks through golf tournaments held each year. 

Yes, my little teenager with a big dream of being a model got to live that dream for awhile. But, her purpose in life paints such a bigger picture. She is still that gentle, kind-hearted woman, full of patience and grace. I couldn't be more proud.

Susan and Owen