The phrase Life is changed, not ended is profound. Used by John Menadue in his tribute last week to his wife, Susie, it speaks volumes for their shared trust that we are more than dust, flesh and bones, however mysterious that more may be. And that it is, possibly, a glimpse of that more that can most meaningfully connect and free us.

No regular reader of P&I can fail to be aware that the very existence of this journal has never been more needed. Nor that its existence owes everything not to John only, but also to the Menadue family and most especially to Susie.

There is a courage and moral (not moralistic) code lacing P&I that is unequivocally, even defiantly humanitarian. It also considers a view of humankind that rests on a confidence that we have a capacity as human beings to make critical choices: to act for good, rather than to harm. This is a universal spirituality that finds meaning in actions, not dogmatic claims. It accurately reflects the characters of the journals founders. It provides context for what is published in P&I. It promises readers a consistently ethical view they will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. You may find yourself as a reader more in tune with this contributor or that. You will not find yourself repulsed by a lack of even fleeting care for the suffering of the most vulnerable from the grotesque actions of the most powerful.

Following the news of Susie Menadues death, I have been asked several times in recent days how well I knew her. My answer is simple: I have met John in person only once (when I began to write for P&I many years ago and John and Susie still lived in Sydney). I have not met Susie in person at all. However, meeting through writing, reading, publishing is also vivid. I was never less than aware that in those times and until comparatively recently every scrap of work to produce P&I was done by John, Susie, plus I gather occasionally other family members when needed.

Johns appreciation of Susie and his fulsome acknowledgement of P&I as their joint creation has been, always, unwavering. P&I is testament, self-evidently, to the depth of their deeply loving, mutually productive connection, as well as to their characters and tireless commitment. (Having written tireless, though, let me also acknowledge that creating and SUSTAINING a daily on-line journal takes stamina, almost ridiculous determination, and the sacrifice of many hours of what most would think of as their deserved leisure.)

As readers of and/or contributors to P&I, our debt of thanks to this remarkable partnership will be unlimited. John is now supported by Editor, Dr Aran Martin, and a very small production team. But their support, and Johns own continuing commitment, also depends on us. Writers, readers, activists, well-wishers: we are in this project for good together.

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our lifes Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home.

The words are Wordsworths, from his Ode: Intimations of Immortality. Life is indeed changed. But not ended. RIP, and most profound thanks, to Susie Menadue. And profound condolences to those who know and love her best.

For those unable to join the memorial service in person, please find below a link to the memorial service for Susie at 1pm (AEDT) on Tuesday

https://vimeo.com/event/4683115

For those wishing to send condolences, it is the wish of the Menadue family that donations are made to the MQ Research Centre and Clinic which specialises in MND.

BSB: 082 344 A/C: 509 294 937 Name: Macquarie University Reference: OOA PGD followed by your last name

Should you require a receipt email:community@mq.edu.au

Alternatively, youcan make a donation here.