So the Yankees hammered the Red Sox and the Dodgers nailed the Braves with a walk-off home run (we were at the stadium to see it), and at 11:30 pm we blew out the candle on a vanilla/vanilla cupcake. Standing in the backyard under the full moon, Sharon and I each made a wish and sent off a prayer, thinking of you. I'm going to follow the Chinese custom of leaving this food out for your ghost, to provide spiritual nourishment on your journey where I cannot yet follow.
Happy Birthday, Daddy. I love you.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
It still hurts every day...
but i think we're all getting stronger. Don't worry Daddy, since Sharon is out of town we watched Jaws and the Shining and ordered pizza in your honor, just like you. 6 months to the day and I still feel raw, but if I didn't feel that way, it would mean I valued our relationship less. The most profound thing anyone has said about all this is that "it will change you deeply, unavoidably, permanently- but it's up to you to figure out how." I still want you to be proud of me, all the time, so I'm trying to keep changing for the better. I love you and I miss you.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thanks a Million Times Over
As I said on Tuesday night, there are no words of gratitude to sum up the kindnesses showered upon our family during the past three months. For those of you who spoke, sang, recited, and joked: thank you for sharing your talents in honor of my father. Thank you for showing him in so many lights: as a colleague, mentor, partner, and friend. For all of you who simply walked through the door: that was an act of tribute in and of itself. Thank you for helping us celebrate the life of my father. You came across distances near and far, some with little or no notice, and you held out your hand. Thank you.
Sharon is an amazing woman and a dedicated wife and mother. For all of us who appreciated this unusual opportunity to say goodbye, she is the one who made it happen. Although most of you know that I lack red meat eating proclivities, I hear the brisket was as delicious as always. Her heart and soul know no limits.
I have such an intense vivid memory of standing on that grimy, poorly-lit New York landing and feeling my father's arms so tight around me as we hugged in the middle of the night and listened to that ethereal music. Tuesday night was an unbelievable experience; to be surrounded by so many people who care about me as the song was once again released into the sky.
Sharon is an amazing woman and a dedicated wife and mother. For all of us who appreciated this unusual opportunity to say goodbye, she is the one who made it happen. Although most of you know that I lack red meat eating proclivities, I hear the brisket was as delicious as always. Her heart and soul know no limits.
I have such an intense vivid memory of standing on that grimy, poorly-lit New York landing and feeling my father's arms so tight around me as we hugged in the middle of the night and listened to that ethereal music. Tuesday night was an unbelievable experience; to be surrounded by so many people who care about me as the song was once again released into the sky.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
An Elbow to the Head...
Greg was so adept with language, with putting his own turn on a phrase, making up expressions. So many of you know his sign off, "with hugs and Irish kisses." He also had other expressions, sometimes just for one person. One of ours was "an elbow to the head."
More than ten years ago, but less than twenty, I was dumped by a guy who was cheating on me. (It's funny now to think of how dramatic high school was, but he never laughed at me to my face). Greg took me driving that night and after he said all the usual fatherly expressions (but most in language not for mixed company), he pulled over in a parking lot. He remarked how pain is something that someone else can help with, but in the end you figure a way out on your own. Then he leaned over to give me a hug but in the cramped quarters of the car he ended up elbowing me right in the side of the head. It became a standing expression for when something went wrong and he wanted to comfort me. It could be as small as a disappointment or as grave as a death. If he was too far away, he'd say it on the phone or send it in a letter. Not a hug, not a kiss, but it was more special because it was our own thing.
I miss those elbows to the head. Those won't come again, but a lasting gift from Greg was to create such a strong network of family and friends to hold me up in this difficult time. My mom and I thank you so much for all of your words. They are gifts.
More than ten years ago, but less than twenty, I was dumped by a guy who was cheating on me. (It's funny now to think of how dramatic high school was, but he never laughed at me to my face). Greg took me driving that night and after he said all the usual fatherly expressions (but most in language not for mixed company), he pulled over in a parking lot. He remarked how pain is something that someone else can help with, but in the end you figure a way out on your own. Then he leaned over to give me a hug but in the cramped quarters of the car he ended up elbowing me right in the side of the head. It became a standing expression for when something went wrong and he wanted to comfort me. It could be as small as a disappointment or as grave as a death. If he was too far away, he'd say it on the phone or send it in a letter. Not a hug, not a kiss, but it was more special because it was our own thing.
I miss those elbows to the head. Those won't come again, but a lasting gift from Greg was to create such a strong network of family and friends to hold me up in this difficult time. My mom and I thank you so much for all of your words. They are gifts.
Friday, January 23, 2009
In Memory of Greg
This site was set up in loving memory of my dad, Gregory Dean Suddeth. Greg left the world as we know it on December 19th, 2008. I started this website with the hope that you will share funny stories, curious anecdotes, or fond memories about Greg in the comments section below. If you are interested in sending photographs, please email them to me at missprufrock@yahoo.com and I will post them for you. Greg was an absolute marvel of a man, and we are sorry to see him go. This site is meant to comfort all who miss him, both by writing about him and reading others' stories.
Peace be with you,
Megan Maxine
Peace be with you,
Megan Maxine
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Greg as a Writer/Actor
Here is some information about Greg's professional life for those of you who are curious:
Greg's IMDB listing
Greg's Variety Obituary
Checkers: One of Greg's film appearances
A note from fellow actor/writer John Pappas (click on In Peace, The Departed)
Below I have also included the bio that Greg wrote for Angel Feathers, in which he appeared as the lead character, Roy.
From the "Angel Feathers" program:
As a playwright, Greg has had 13 plays produced in Los Angeles such as the critically aclaimed, Being of Sound Mind, Dance upon Nothing, and Very Cherry and Extra Clean at the Cast Theatre, for which he received a Rockefeller Grant. Other plays were End of the Watch, Toe to Toe, which garnered 4 Dramalogue Awards including Writing and Direction for Greg, and In the Bargain with Catherine Keener. As an actor, he last appeared on film in Robert Hummer's Checkers with Richard Herd and Shade with Sylvester Stallone and Stuart Townsend. On television, he was last seen in Will and Grace and will appear in this fall's Pushing Daisies with Lee Pace. Greg's extensive work in the theater includes appearances in his own plays Peep Show, Mine Enemies, and In the Bargain. As a screenwriter, his credits include Oblivion, Oblivion 2: The Backlash, and the highly successful Prehysteria. Greg would like to thank Cinda and Mark for driving, this stellar cast for their talent, and dedicate this play to a lifelong companion who truly cares about the little world he creates behind closed doors.
Greg's IMDB listing
Greg's Variety Obituary
Checkers: One of Greg's film appearances
A note from fellow actor/writer John Pappas (click on In Peace, The Departed)
Below I have also included the bio that Greg wrote for Angel Feathers, in which he appeared as the lead character, Roy.
From the "Angel Feathers" program:
As a playwright, Greg has had 13 plays produced in Los Angeles such as the critically aclaimed, Being of Sound Mind, Dance upon Nothing, and Very Cherry and Extra Clean at the Cast Theatre, for which he received a Rockefeller Grant. Other plays were End of the Watch, Toe to Toe, which garnered 4 Dramalogue Awards including Writing and Direction for Greg, and In the Bargain with Catherine Keener. As an actor, he last appeared on film in Robert Hummer's Checkers with Richard Herd and Shade with Sylvester Stallone and Stuart Townsend. On television, he was last seen in Will and Grace and will appear in this fall's Pushing Daisies with Lee Pace. Greg's extensive work in the theater includes appearances in his own plays Peep Show, Mine Enemies, and In the Bargain. As a screenwriter, his credits include Oblivion, Oblivion 2: The Backlash, and the highly successful Prehysteria. Greg would like to thank Cinda and Mark for driving, this stellar cast for their talent, and dedicate this play to a lifelong companion who truly cares about the little world he creates behind closed doors.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Music Greg Loved Spanning Years and Genres
Hello Friends,
They playlist has been removed from this entry and reposted on the main page, but I left the entry itself because others' words are attached in the comments section. Feel free to continue commenting on music here.
Thanks,
MSR
They playlist has been removed from this entry and reposted on the main page, but I left the entry itself because others' words are attached in the comments section. Feel free to continue commenting on music here.
Thanks,
MSR
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