To the editor:

Local artist Susan O’Brien suffered a brain aneurysm in September. She is a gifted artist who has had her paintings, painted glass and felted sweaters in local galleries. Her art and creativity has graced many lives.

Susan remains hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Her recovery has been a slow but steady process. It is anticipated that it will be well over a year before we know how many skills Susan will be able to regain in her long healing journey.

There are many medical bills and expenses involved as well. To this end, several people have been busy to assist in the following projects: A silent auction and dance beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Bayview Hall; on going work parties to finish Susan’s studio (http://susansstudio.wordpress.com/); and Whidbey Island Bank is accepting donations (refer to the Susan O’Brien Donation Fund).

Situations like this help to remind us how special this community really is, and how important all of our friends are. It’s the artists that live here which give this place we call home that vibrant feeling of belonging.

For updates on Susan, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/susanobrien.

Kimmer Morris

Langley