Susannah Wilson and her husband lived in Lahore for a few years during the 1980s- she was setting up a new school for A-levels, and he taught at the Lahore American School. Her life is a beautiful tapestry of experiences and memories, and one of those memories is her husband; unfortunately, he passed away in 2011. If there is anyone who has taught me to love another person, it’s Susannah Wilson. When she met him, he was married with two children, but she waited 16 years to be with him. They were married for 25 years and retired in Oxford, England, where J is buried.

As expats living outside of the United States, they mingled with other expats and locals. There are several memories of her husband, but she would always tear up at Elvis Presley’s song as an American soldier in his film G.I. (1961). “J was just like that”- she would comment on Presley’s body language. She would go on to talk about how they would all gather in each other’s houses in Lahore, and J would sing and dance to this song. At her request, I had to sing this song at her 80th in front of at least 50 people. I was an embarrassment, but she was so thrilled.

It was a different country and a different time, and Presley was able to capture a specific American intelligence and strength. I am not a huge Presley fan, and neither is my godmother, but perhaps because of her, I have found these attributes in EN. Perhaps that’s why I may wait 16 years for him as well.