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

[Alice Alexander (alicecohous]

What a fantastic story Patti! I'll add this to the "Joani" stories I am
collecting. As I shared on my blog on cohousing.org

Many of us have "Joani" stories. Many of us can thank Joani for engaging us
to cohousing; still more of us are grateful for the wisdom and
encouragement she has provided to so many. I encourage you to share those
stories with me! Alice Alexander, Coho/US Executive Director;
alicecohous [at] gmail.com

Alice Alexander, Coho/US Executive Director

On Tue, Jun 28, 2016 at 2:51 PM, Patricia Lautner <lautnerp [at] 
jpcohousing.org>
wrote:

>
> 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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> >
> >
> >
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>
>


-- 
Alice Alexander
Executive Director
http://www.cohousing.org
[image: The Cohousing Association]