Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Two announcements about longtime cohouser Joani Blank

[Patricia Lautner (lautnerp]

I hate that this is happening to you Joani - freakin sucks.

I've only met you once but I've talked about you many times.  Back in 1999
when I was just figuring out my way as one of the 'burning souls' of JP
Cohousing in Boston, someone told me to call you and ask for money.  I
needed money, and I wasn't shy, so I called.  My God you gave me $10,000
over the phone just because I asked.  That was the first money into the
project, the highest risk money possible, and truthfully - you kind of
changed my life.  Sounds dramatic but just imagine! You didn't even know me
- haha.  I was dead broke with two little kids at the time.  Since then -
I'm never shy asking for money, in all areas of my life.  And -wonderfully-
I now find myself being able to lend money too sometimes. So please send me
the links to your favorite organizations - I will lovingly make a donation
in your name Joani.

Thank you on behalf of Jamaica Plain Cohousing - for your generosity and
you're willingness to truly give us what we desperately needed at the time;
cold hard cash and a ton of faith and hope.

>From Boston with love,
Patti

Jamaica Plain Cohousing

On Tue, Jun 28, 2016 at 2:23 PM, Liz Brown <clzbrown [at] rochester.rr.com>
wrote:

>
> Well that really sucks. I was so glad to meet you in Salt Lake. Wish I was
> close enough to come to your party  Sendingvirtual hugs
> Liz Brown
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jun 24, 2016, at 11:48 AM, Joani Blank <jeblank [at] swansway.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > ANNOUNCEMENT One
> >
> > I have very recently received a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic
> cancer. It is a very aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis, and
> it is likely that I do not have a lot of time left.For that reason, I
> intend to treat only my symptoms, not the disease itself, because I want to
> enjoy myself and not feel sick during whatever time remains.
> >
> > People often don’t know how to respond to a cancer announcement, so let
> me tell you what will work and not work for me.
> >
> > Please don’t say something like, “Let me tell you abouta book you should
> read/some herbs you should take/a meditation practice that will help you.”
> In other words I prefer not to hear advice or suggestions at this
> time.Instead, try something like, "That really sucks" or "I’m sad/sorry
> you’re sick” and/or if you are close by, you might offer me a hug.There’s
> no need to offer your help; I know that I will have it should I ask for it,
> and I will ask if I need or want it.
> >
> > Watch for details of a Celebration of My Life (which I plan to attend)
> probably in September.
> >
> >
> > ANNOUNCEMENT Two
> >
> > Believe it or not, I’m turning 79 on the 4th of July!
> >
> > This year, I will be celebrating my birthday on Monday, the Fourth at
> 7:00 at Annapurna, the new Indo-Nepali restaurant at the corner of Clay and
> 10th Streets in Old Oakland.  Dinner will cost $19.50 per person, including
> tax and tip. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
> >
> > If you live in the SF Bay area and are going to be here over the 4th of
> July weekend and would like to  come to my birthday party please let me
> know by email to jeblank [at] swansway.com.
> >
> > In lieu of birthday gifts, I am inviting you to make a donation to one
> (or more) of five of my favorite nonprofits. (Coho/US  will be one of them
> of course!) I will provide you with information about them when you RSVP so
> you can check them out before you come.
> >
> > Even if you can't come to my birthday party because you live much too
> far away or for any other reason, but you'd like to consider making a
> donation, please let me know and I'll send you the list with the
> organizations' web addresses, so you can take a look at them.
> >
> > Love,
> >
> > Joani
> >
> > p.s. Local cohousing folk--The restaurant has limited seating, so the
> final guest list will be _first come first served,_ and I will let you know
> if you are on it no later than July 1. Apologies for the late notice.
> Needless to say, my life has been just a wee bit chaotic since June 3 when
> I had the first inkling of my diagnosis.
> >
> >
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> >
> >
>
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