A Great Alaskan Dies

Susan Butcher passed away yesterday. She was the first woman to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 4 times, three of which were in a row. She embodied everything that is Alaska.

I remember watching her compete in races when I was a child and the presence she had. She looked like she could kill a grizzly bear with her bare hands. It wasn't that she was big, it was the look in her eye, her tenacity. She was tough and unrelenting.

The past couple years my kids went to a Montessori school that Susan's kids went to as well. To know Susan's family is to know truly what Alaska is all about. Hard work, long play and lots of love. Eery time I ever spoke with Susan, she exuded strength, wisdom and tenacity. She would always stand her gorund and never give up.

When the leukemia returned a few weeks ago after a bone marrow transplant, the doctors told her she had two options, go home and spend time with friends, or start all over. Those who knew Susan also knew she would take the challenge, not the easy way.

As you sit around, enjoying your coffee and your Sunday afternoon BBQ's, say a prayer for the butcher family and all their friends. Say a special prayer for Tekla and Chisana and thier father Dave. An icon of Alaska has passed away and with her, a very large piece of what Alaska is to many residents no longer remains.