Bells—the different types of bells and associations we make with their tolling are probably as numerous as the number of people on the planet. There’s the light, yet insistent tinkle of the come-hither-and-pour-me-a-cup-of-tea-this-instant ding—the monotonous, yet crisp clank-of-a-clapper-striking-thick-brass-accompanied-by-the-droning-fog-horn dong—the musical, multi-toned, many-belled European get-your-sorry-lazy-butt-out-of-bed-and-go-to-church clang, that also peals to celebrate a marriage, a birth and sometimes, even a death.
Some bells are famous. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence, representing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Japanese Peace Bell, a gift to the United Nations, is tolled on the first day of spring sounding the message of the preciousness of peace. Then there’s the direct and overpowering southern belle, Scarlett O’Hara. Oops! Wrong kind of bell.
Bells are rung to call our attention to things—like dinner, classes, and waiting customers. Start bells ring at races, closing bells at stock exchanges. They jingle us all the way to having fun on open sleigh rides and jangle our favorite tunes at talent shows.
Bells are kind of like Jello too—there’s always room for Jello. There’s always room for bells – especially for this one, donated by Susan Fleming to her treatment center to celebrate the end of her dance with Breast Cancer.
As of today, November 29, 2013, every patient having reached the end of their treatments will be invited to ring this bell in celebration of the milestone they have achieved—a tribute to their spirit, their endurance, and courage. I can only imagine the joy the actual ringing of this bell will give to each survivor from this day forward. I can only imagine the bravery that the sound of that chime will inspire in another, giving them the strength to carry on to the day when it will be their turn. I can only imagine…
Yet Susan…she knows firsthand. Susan has always been an inspiration, which her selfless gift further proves. Her bravery, good humor, positivity, and generosity are what makes me so very thankful that she is a part of my world.
Susan, today you are truly the BELLE OF THE BALL and
This bell tolls for YOU woman!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner 
What a beautiful and touching tribute, which I found particularly poignant as one of the friends who shared Susan’s journey. Yea, Susan! She has made her life-changing journey transformative for so many of us.
And now, Bad Liz speaks: When I was on Match.com, my tagline was “Ask not for whom the belle trolls. She trolls for thee.” Shameless. Yet the likes of you and Susan still let me be your friend. I am blessed.
And again… YEA, SUSAN!
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And I Liz, am blessed with having you in my life too. Don’t you think every hospital should have a bell?
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I agree–a bell in every hospital to signal momentous milestones. Susan is leading the charge in making that happen.
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OMG there is not enough tissue in this house! Thank you my friend. I always was a little bit dingy! xoxox
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Well, dong away. This world needs more people like you!
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Is my previous reply awaiting moderation? I knew about the bell from breastcancer.org, a site that really helped me limp along and gave me the gift of a friend. I do not know how many places have bells but once I had the visual in my head I imagined ringing it for months. I never dreamed my hospital would say yes when I asked, “Where’s the bell, I need a bell!” Klinikum Großhadern is just full of really wonderful people.
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Yeah, I can’t let just any old ding-bat write a comment. I was surprised too when you said Grosshadern hung it for you. It’s a fantabulous idea. Yeah for them…and you, of course, for doing it! ALL of it! Monstro-gi-normous hugs!
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Beautifully written tribute! I was not aware that Susan herself donated the bell. Brilliant idea and of course it’s Susan who brought it to fruition. Thank God we have that woman!
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Thanks Monica. She certainly is a special one of a kind…
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What a wonderful story and a unique idea to celebrate the “end of the dance” with cancer. Everyone chimes in when their dance is done – beautiful!
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It is. Susan is some kind of wonderful and I’m so happy she’s made it this far. Thanks for commenting.
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