Yes, you tell us, please keep telling us when the words are there...they are like keys, unlocking more feelings each time for me and I think likely many others
Thank you for sharing such humanity. I recognize many of these “falling apart”-nesses, as your friend Cynthia says.
You are very graceful living in the “falling apart,” Jo. Like the dancer you are. Your words help me remember to honour the surrenders and ceremonial aspects of living in the “falling apart.”
I am always grateful to find your email in my box. One of the few 23,000 emails that I actually open and read. They leave me a bit softer, often after shedding a few tears. I am at an age where I experience what you describe not an abstract thought, but as a matter of time. I can easily imagine myself in your shoes and I am grateful for this roadmap of love and grief and art. I soften because whatever I might be in knots about, is not worth any moment it takes away from me being present for the one I love. So tell us whatever you want. I'm listening in gratitude. xo
Oh Gesel. This comment. This generous comment. I am so appreciative that out of all of those emails, this is one that you are choosing to open. That moves me, so deeply. What a gift to have you, fellow artist and dancer, as a witness, and as a listener. Much gratitude, and then more to you.
I too have navigated the intensity of grief as I am showing up to teach in a falling apart state. It's one of the hazards of teaching from body and soul IN THE MOMENT. Oi- Joanna, your experience and writing move me to tears. Thank you for continuously crafting such a beautiful honoring place for the real.
Thank you Cynthia, for continuously showing up and being a present and courageous witness. Makes this writing so much easier knowing that I have that from so many of you.
Ah Til. I think of you so much. I wonder how you are doing each day, how you too are getting through. Our parallel experiences that have so many similarities, and also so many differences. What the telling of our experiences of this sort of loss are. I wonder and I wonder.
Til, I'm so sorry for your loss. I knew Loretta from a long time ago, and then again in class with Jo. I have felt her absence, and missed her quiet presence. There was always an awareness that she was doing deep dives in class. Warmth to you and your son.
Yes, please tell us -- continue telling us --whenever and whatever you are ready to share, whatever you need to share. Each time you do, you offer more of you, more of Glen, more of this extraordinarily personal journey you have been on, that you *are* on, that is also so human and, in that, also ordinary. That brain tumor so sucked. Just as you said, it robbed him of himself, and you of the Glen you had known before the glioblastoma. I am simply grateful for how you invite us to feel alongside you, and feel more deeply into our own paths of love, loss, and grief. How you loved him in the sharpest, most unexpected and hardest moments ... a reminder of what's possible through love.
Amazing for the patent! A triumph, no matter what happens with it. It sounds like a really cool and useful instrument.
Yes, I did love him those sharp moments. The unexpected and the hardest. And I am so grateful I got to have this experience of loving him, even though it ended too soon. I think that is one of the things that his carrying me through right now, is that vast love we had for each other.
Thank you for being excited about the patent! It is a triumph, and I am so glad that part got completed, for him. And yeah who knows what will happen next. It is a beautiful tool that he made.
I will never forget my phone call with you when Glen was in the hospital recovering from his second surgery. Your presence in that moment. Your willingness. Your honesty in the listening that you provided that day. It is embedded in my memory of this time.
So so painful, dear Jo, this grief. This helps me understand, better understand, my introverted uncommunicative brother who lost his wife from multiple myeloma, about to be 2 years now. Never very close, sadly an unspeakable divide now, 2000 miles wide. I can’t believe G’s been gone only 6 months.
It is painful. And I'm doing okay. Despite it all, I feel really solid in myself as I enter into this next phase, without him here. And yeah...I think grief can change someone, from the inside out. At least that has been my experience so far. I know....feels like a day, and also 10 years...
how do you break my heart and simultaneously want to holler from the mountain top, THE PATENT WAS APPROVED!! Did you hear that Mark?
You break my heart with this comment. Ooph. Right to my gut, in the best of ways.
Yes, you tell us, please keep telling us when the words are there...they are like keys, unlocking more feelings each time for me and I think likely many others
Mark..thank you for this and all of your comments, experiences, and tellings of your own loss of Glen. My heart my heart my heart.
Thank you for sharing such humanity. I recognize many of these “falling apart”-nesses, as your friend Cynthia says.
You are very graceful living in the “falling apart,” Jo. Like the dancer you are. Your words help me remember to honour the surrenders and ceremonial aspects of living in the “falling apart.”
Hmm, I love this frame, of the ceremonial aspect, and the honour, of surrender. I just love that...
I am always grateful to find your email in my box. One of the few 23,000 emails that I actually open and read. They leave me a bit softer, often after shedding a few tears. I am at an age where I experience what you describe not an abstract thought, but as a matter of time. I can easily imagine myself in your shoes and I am grateful for this roadmap of love and grief and art. I soften because whatever I might be in knots about, is not worth any moment it takes away from me being present for the one I love. So tell us whatever you want. I'm listening in gratitude. xo
Oh Gesel. This comment. This generous comment. I am so appreciative that out of all of those emails, this is one that you are choosing to open. That moves me, so deeply. What a gift to have you, fellow artist and dancer, as a witness, and as a listener. Much gratitude, and then more to you.
Stunning, Jo. Love you.
Thank you Karen. And I love you too.
I too have navigated the intensity of grief as I am showing up to teach in a falling apart state. It's one of the hazards of teaching from body and soul IN THE MOMENT. Oi- Joanna, your experience and writing move me to tears. Thank you for continuously crafting such a beautiful honoring place for the real.
Right?? Totally a hazard....
Thank you Cynthia, for continuously showing up and being a present and courageous witness. Makes this writing so much easier knowing that I have that from so many of you.
Thank you Joanna.
It’s been 4 weeks since Loretta died.
What do I tell you?
Ah Til. I think of you so much. I wonder how you are doing each day, how you too are getting through. Our parallel experiences that have so many similarities, and also so many differences. What the telling of our experiences of this sort of loss are. I wonder and I wonder.
Til, I'm so sorry for your loss. I knew Loretta from a long time ago, and then again in class with Jo. I have felt her absence, and missed her quiet presence. There was always an awareness that she was doing deep dives in class. Warmth to you and your son.
Thank you for your words Gabrielle
I love you Jo
Aliza, and me to you. I just re-read your comment when Glen first got sick, about moving out here to marry me. I'm available :).
Yes, please tell us -- continue telling us --whenever and whatever you are ready to share, whatever you need to share. Each time you do, you offer more of you, more of Glen, more of this extraordinarily personal journey you have been on, that you *are* on, that is also so human and, in that, also ordinary. That brain tumor so sucked. Just as you said, it robbed him of himself, and you of the Glen you had known before the glioblastoma. I am simply grateful for how you invite us to feel alongside you, and feel more deeply into our own paths of love, loss, and grief. How you loved him in the sharpest, most unexpected and hardest moments ... a reminder of what's possible through love.
Amazing for the patent! A triumph, no matter what happens with it. It sounds like a really cool and useful instrument.
Love to you.
Yes, I did love him those sharp moments. The unexpected and the hardest. And I am so grateful I got to have this experience of loving him, even though it ended too soon. I think that is one of the things that his carrying me through right now, is that vast love we had for each other.
Thank you for being excited about the patent! It is a triumph, and I am so glad that part got completed, for him. And yeah who knows what will happen next. It is a beautiful tool that he made.
Thank you Gee.
xooxox
That was beautifully done. Not sure if "enjoyed" is the appropriate word. Love your style of writing
Thank you Ann. These words, and your care.
I will never forget my phone call with you when Glen was in the hospital recovering from his second surgery. Your presence in that moment. Your willingness. Your honesty in the listening that you provided that day. It is embedded in my memory of this time.
So so painful, dear Jo, this grief. This helps me understand, better understand, my introverted uncommunicative brother who lost his wife from multiple myeloma, about to be 2 years now. Never very close, sadly an unspeakable divide now, 2000 miles wide. I can’t believe G’s been gone only 6 months.
It is painful. And I'm doing okay. Despite it all, I feel really solid in myself as I enter into this next phase, without him here. And yeah...I think grief can change someone, from the inside out. At least that has been my experience so far. I know....feels like a day, and also 10 years...