A Tribute to My Incredible Mother, Susan Henderson

My beautiful mother took her last breath on May 23rd (the full moon) at 11:11 am. By her side were her four children, her son-in-law, and one of her grandchildren. We held her hands, sang her songs, and told her stories as she transitioned. It was how she would have wanted it, and I'm grateful she went quickly, surrounded by love, and that she is no longer in pain. The void in my life is huge as she was the person I was closest to, and I spoke with her every day.

I have been fortunate enough to have had many amazing mentors in my career who have shaped my taste, taught me techniques, and influenced me artistically, but no single person has influenced me as much as my incredible mother, Susan Henderson. My mother marched for civil rights movements in the 1960s, protested against the Vietnam War, and cared for incarcerated youth for a living as a psychiatric nurse. She was an artist who painted, sewed, played music, and cooked elaborate meals. Our food was always made from scratch and with real food ingredients—she was into clean eating and clean beauty before it was a thing. She lightened her hair with lemon juice and removed her body hair with sugar wax that she made with sugar and lemon on a stovetop. I always had the coolest homemade Halloween costumes and dresses and hair accessories, and she even made my wedding dress. Like me, she was a single mom. She worked hard as a nurse, often doing overnight shifts so she could take us where we needed to go during the day. She taught me what unconditional love was and somehow raised us four kids to remain close as adults. As the condolences rolled in, the thing I heard most about my mom is how welcome she made everyone feel. It didn't matter where you were from or what your past was; if you were in her home, you were welcomed, and she made you feel like family.

Beautiful Susan as a young woman

“While I learn to navigate life without my mom, I know that she lives on in me and my siblings, our children, and even the business I have created based on the values she instilled in me. I was so lucky to be raised by her. I hope her spirit is soaring free.”

-Hind Haidar