Susanne Codogan the Energy of the Neighborhood - By Chief: Strong-Blood

Two years ago, I happened upon Susanne Codugan’s Facebook page, and decided to see what Susanne was up to lately. There was no new post on Susanne’s page; but I came across this photograph, I down loaded and I uploaded it to by Facebook page, with the settings to private; That way, only me will be able to see the photograph.

In doing so, I said to myself, if I ever have to write anything about Susanne, I am going to used this photograph. For this photograph depicts everything I know and love about Susanne.

Susanne and I are the product of Rose Place also know as Bottom Town. I lived on Queen Street, while Susan lived in the Alley. Susanne Lived on what I will call for this story: the Codogan compound. The Codogan compound is a large area of land that spans half of a square block. On that land are found several houses which were are occupied by what remained of the Codogan’s children and Grand Children.

Some of the Codogan’s children got married and moved away and some had migrated to greener pastures, leaving their children behind; with the hopes of having those children; join them later. Susan was one of the children, who were waiting to join her parents aboard.

For those of you who don’t know where the Alley is; The Alley is that area of Rose Place; which is close to Nine Steps. Nine Steps is that series of steps that spans the great expanse, that connected the Middle of the Mountain that is called Battery Hill, which is the beginning of the ascent to Edinburgh, with the valley beneath, in Bottom Town. Without that series of steps, a steep cliff remains.

For us as children, the Alley was the place to be. The Alley had the largest concentration of children in the entire neighborhood. There was the Cumberbatch home, which had four children, three boys Steve, Cuthbert and Noel and one girl Luanne.

There Ms. Carol Home that had three or some times four children. Colin, Michael and their sister Sis. There was the Harry’s home that had eight children: Poor-joe, Blue, Christ, Joe, deedie, Tudy, Cleara and Marcia. There were the Nola Steel Six children, there were Sharon, Pat, Barbara, Santana, Nola’s other two children were adults; there was also Velma Steal’s Home, which constituted two children Robert and Roxanne.

Tanty Gloria, who lived the closest to the Steps. who had four children all of which were boys. The name of whom evades me right now; and there was the Codogan grand children, too numerous to be mentioned here.

The reality is even if, the Codogan grandchildren, never spoke of it or did not the show it, and even though, they were secure and well taken care of, by their aunts and uncles these children, all missed their parents.

The Codogan compound was filled with children, there was too many to mention all of their names. But Susan brought a difference to the Alley; she had the natural instinct of a leader, and this was demonstrated in her organizational skills.

Susanne was the one, though not the oldest, who organized most of the activities amongst the Codogan grandchildren. From the game of street Cricket, Hop Scratch, Moral, Dodge. After the game had started, the other neighborhood children, upon hearing the screams, shouts and the laughter that is generated from children having fun, we all gathered at the area and asked to join the fun. In a matter of a moment, every child, from every part of the neighborhood, was involved in whatever game was being played.

Susan was always the one who led the games, and the final decision of who is out or not out; was left up to her. She understood she had to be firm with her decisions; she also understood; she had to be fair. and for the most part she was.

No one had more fun than Susanne, she always had a twinkle of joy in her eyes, a breath of laughter on her lips and a desire to ensure everyone had fun.

There was no way, Susanne was not going to allow, some sore loser to spoil the fun for everyone. if someone was declared out and refused to leave the pitch, Susan was the first to confront the person and break out her favorite F-Bomb. She fearlessly confronts the person, forcefully take the bat from their hands, while doing so, she often said "give me the frigging bat."

Whatever game we played, Susanne put all of her energy and skill into it. The Sunday afternoon trip to the bay, just a block away for a sea bath, was looked forward to by all. This was another event we delighted in as children. After we exhaust ourselves, from frolicking in the water, swimming back and forth from the rock, or competitively diving to retrieve sea shells, tost into the water for that purpose; we spend hours on the hot sand, if we are on the beach, or on the hot stones (Large retaining boulders) of the reclamation sight talking about everything.

As far as I know Susanne was a happy child, with a fulfilling childhood. The game only end, when the first Codogan parent, call their child of children for their dinner. This was the signal that it was time for us to go home.

When Susanne migrated to the United States, to join her parents, we all recognized the difference. The Alley became a quiet place, the shouts and screams of joyous children playing in the street, chasing each other, or competing in some game/event, did not completely stopped; but it became a little less loud, a little less joyous, and a little less frequent. This is so because Susan Codogan, was the one that brought the burst of the energy, inspired everyone to play, she was the life that sparked the excitement to whatever nonsensical games we played

Later, I reconnected with Susan on Facebook, we often chat on messenger. I can say here in the old story section on Facebook. Every Story I wrote and I posted Susanne was the first to read it. She did not only read the story she made her comment about the content. She often inboxes me to find out more information about, what , when, where or who, of the event. She often said Allan I always enjoy your stories; I like the way you express yourself in writing. I always learn something from these stories.

I was sadden and heart broken to learn about Susanne’s passing. I made it a point of mission. That I am going to immortalized Susan’s memory with one of the stories, which was written by me. The Stories she looked forward to reading. It is sad that Susanne will never read this story in the flesh. I hope when she reads this in the spirit she smiles and says Allan another good Story.

I love you Susanne and I am going to miss you.