You taught me I could be strong more than a decade ago at CFSBK. Though you may not have known it, and we were both thousands of miles away from Brooklyn, you’ve been a constant reminder to me of what strength really is. Thank you for everything. Much love to you and Chris.
Jess, I want you to know how much you have helped me in my life. You may not have known but there were many times in our friendship when I was in deep crisis and I so looked forward to your classes and your time. They helped me find strength and escape. They helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other when I wasn’t sure I could. I will always remember and love you. Carlos G.
Though we don’t know each other well, you and Chris have made a real impression on me. I’ve been wanting to properly convey how much it means to watch your journey from afar and hear you share so openly and with such grace, but there have not seemed to be words adequate enough. So after sitting with this for some time, I will do my best, though they will still be inadequate.
I want to thank you so, so much for giving me more than you know. As I’ve shared with you, I lost my husband last year to cancer and while he was open with his journey, he would never speak of the end or his death. He would simply not accept it. You and he shared remarkably similar symptoms at the end, but he never expressed what he was going through - perhaps because it was admitting he was dying. I do know he also hated language around “battles” and “fighting” too, but I’ve wondered countless times what he was feeling as he was dying and it was clear he didn’t want to go there. It is such a gift to feel closer to him and know this part of him more, and I thank you so much for that. Stories like these are incredibly important, help others know they aren’t alone, and inspire everyone around them. Thank you thank you thank you. And I’m so so sorry.
Chris - if you’re reading, I found that leaning on others who have been through it was enormously helpful. We don’t know each other well but we will have been in the same shitty club. If you feel like you want to vent, cry, hear what helped me, or literally anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out (first.lastname at Gmail)
My heart is with you both. Sending so much love. You two are incredible.
Jess, I have to add my love to this incredible and incredibly deserved demonstration of care from your community. Thank you for making your values and wants clear. You hold so much power, and I truly am grateful you chose to share so much of yourself with all of us. I wish you and Chris peace and warmth.
Jess, I have to add my love to this incredible and incredibly deserved demonstration of care from your community. Thank you for making your values and wants clear. You hold so much power, and I truly am grateful you chose to share so much of yourself with all of us. I wish you peace and warmth.
Vibrant and thriving describe you so well, Jess. I am blessed to have learned so much from you-strength, optimism , and love to name just a few. Thank you for sharing the lessons you’ve learned and the universe’s grace. Much love to you and Chris
Trouble finding words. I can say uour journey has been inspiring, your grace and ever present spirit will be with us always , and for that we are the lucky ones. Thank you for all that you have given this earth, love u Jess
Jess, I love you. You made an indelible mark on my life and I will think of you every time I see an oak tree. The memories of the hours we spent training with you on Zoom during Covid are especially precious to me! Thank you for sharing this journey with us all, sending you and Chris and your extended family so much love. Wishing you a peaceful transition.
My heart dropped when I got the email notification for your final post. Thank you for sharing your journey and being so candid through it all. Your incredible spirit and heart have shown and no doubt will carry on. You will continue to be an inspiration. Wishing you and your family well, always.
Jessica I will miss you. You have always inspired me to be Positive in many ways and appreciate everyday in some small way. Knowing you has been an honor and I feel so fortunate to have shared time in your presence. I pray you will not have alot of pain or discomfort in the final weeks of your beautiful life. Iwill not forget your strength and resilience. You have given us all the gift of sharing your journey and we are better people for having that privilege. Bless you sweet sister.
Hi Jessica. I just saw your page and this post for the first time. I am very sorry. Gosh you are quite a lady. A very beautiful, brave lady. My brother Dan had Stage 4 cancer diagnosed at 37 y/o and 2 things you mentioned he did not want.
1st was “he fought a hard battle” kind of talk bc he felt he accepted the cancer ( didn’t mean he didn’t do everything to get rid of it) but that he had to figure out how to live with it everyday and have quality of life. And like you feeling like he “Lost” a battle which was very discouraging bc it was not like he didn’t try everything traditional and non traditional to get rid of it. In fact, I saw my brother as the bravest person I ever knew bc he knew he had Stage 4 cancer for all of the almost 8 years he lived knowing it would result in his death at any time. We decided everyone with cancer survives it. There were no “ losers” at all. Just some people who got “lucky” He once told me he wished he would have had 1 really great year instead. But I could not tell my parents, his wife or 4 children that. He knew it would make them feel very odd and perhaps guilty.
2nd was everyone sending his family so much food, flowers, cards etc.. bc it caused so much stress trying to manage all of that. It felt like he had to thank each and every person which was exhausting for him to do. He did not have this type of forum as you do as he passed away in 2002 at 44 y/o. I think he would have chronicled his journey too. He always had an opinion. 🙂
I was struck by your presence of mind, strong character, beautiful nature and immense bravery expressing yourself. I admire you tremendously for it. You will help SO many people to live their lives to the fullest. And have a better understanding of what it is like to have cancer and what is best to do for that person.
Thank you for your very honest post and may your journey be peaceful and filled with all the love you deserve. ❤️
Thank you for getting me out of me and sharing your beautiful heart and incredible strength with the Sangha here. You are so loved and I am very grateful for every opportunity I've ever had to be in your presence. You have such a radiant spirit; may it live on forever in that mighty oak tree when the time comes!! Until then, your peace and comfort, and that of your family, will spearhead my prayers. Love you guys!
Dear Jessica, sending you love and wishing you peace and all the comfort possible. Thank you for your frankness in choosing to share your experiences and journey. Reading and listening to your words has been deeply impactful for me on many levels. You are a Beautiful, Brilliant Warrior ❤️
Hey Jess - Sending you all my love, strength, and energy your way. I’m so grateful to have met you, even if only a handful of times. Everyone I’ve ever spoken to has shared the most beautiful things about you. I hope you’re able to find comfort and peace in these moments. Holding you and Chris in my heart ♥️
With all of my love and gratitude to you, and to Chris…
<3 Justine
You taught me I could be strong more than a decade ago at CFSBK. Though you may not have known it, and we were both thousands of miles away from Brooklyn, you’ve been a constant reminder to me of what strength really is. Thank you for everything. Much love to you and Chris.
Jess, I want you to know how much you have helped me in my life. You may not have known but there were many times in our friendship when I was in deep crisis and I so looked forward to your classes and your time. They helped me find strength and escape. They helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other when I wasn’t sure I could. I will always remember and love you. Carlos G.
May you have peace.
Though we don’t know each other well, you and Chris have made a real impression on me. I’ve been wanting to properly convey how much it means to watch your journey from afar and hear you share so openly and with such grace, but there have not seemed to be words adequate enough. So after sitting with this for some time, I will do my best, though they will still be inadequate.
I want to thank you so, so much for giving me more than you know. As I’ve shared with you, I lost my husband last year to cancer and while he was open with his journey, he would never speak of the end or his death. He would simply not accept it. You and he shared remarkably similar symptoms at the end, but he never expressed what he was going through - perhaps because it was admitting he was dying. I do know he also hated language around “battles” and “fighting” too, but I’ve wondered countless times what he was feeling as he was dying and it was clear he didn’t want to go there. It is such a gift to feel closer to him and know this part of him more, and I thank you so much for that. Stories like these are incredibly important, help others know they aren’t alone, and inspire everyone around them. Thank you thank you thank you. And I’m so so sorry.
Chris - if you’re reading, I found that leaning on others who have been through it was enormously helpful. We don’t know each other well but we will have been in the same shitty club. If you feel like you want to vent, cry, hear what helped me, or literally anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out (first.lastname at Gmail)
My heart is with you both. Sending so much love. You two are incredible.
Jess, I have to add my love to this incredible and incredibly deserved demonstration of care from your community. Thank you for making your values and wants clear. You hold so much power, and I truly am grateful you chose to share so much of yourself with all of us. I wish you and Chris peace and warmth.
Jess, I have to add my love to this incredible and incredibly deserved demonstration of care from your community. Thank you for making your values and wants clear. You hold so much power, and I truly am grateful you chose to share so much of yourself with all of us. I wish you peace and warmth.
Vibrant and thriving describe you so well, Jess. I am blessed to have learned so much from you-strength, optimism , and love to name just a few. Thank you for sharing the lessons you’ve learned and the universe’s grace. Much love to you and Chris
Trouble finding words. I can say uour journey has been inspiring, your grace and ever present spirit will be with us always , and for that we are the lucky ones. Thank you for all that you have given this earth, love u Jess
Jess, I love you. You made an indelible mark on my life and I will think of you every time I see an oak tree. The memories of the hours we spent training with you on Zoom during Covid are especially precious to me! Thank you for sharing this journey with us all, sending you and Chris and your extended family so much love. Wishing you a peaceful transition.
My heart dropped when I got the email notification for your final post. Thank you for sharing your journey and being so candid through it all. Your incredible spirit and heart have shown and no doubt will carry on. You will continue to be an inspiration. Wishing you and your family well, always.
Jessica I will miss you. You have always inspired me to be Positive in many ways and appreciate everyday in some small way. Knowing you has been an honor and I feel so fortunate to have shared time in your presence. I pray you will not have alot of pain or discomfort in the final weeks of your beautiful life. Iwill not forget your strength and resilience. You have given us all the gift of sharing your journey and we are better people for having that privilege. Bless you sweet sister.
Hi Jessica. I just saw your page and this post for the first time. I am very sorry. Gosh you are quite a lady. A very beautiful, brave lady. My brother Dan had Stage 4 cancer diagnosed at 37 y/o and 2 things you mentioned he did not want.
1st was “he fought a hard battle” kind of talk bc he felt he accepted the cancer ( didn’t mean he didn’t do everything to get rid of it) but that he had to figure out how to live with it everyday and have quality of life. And like you feeling like he “Lost” a battle which was very discouraging bc it was not like he didn’t try everything traditional and non traditional to get rid of it. In fact, I saw my brother as the bravest person I ever knew bc he knew he had Stage 4 cancer for all of the almost 8 years he lived knowing it would result in his death at any time. We decided everyone with cancer survives it. There were no “ losers” at all. Just some people who got “lucky” He once told me he wished he would have had 1 really great year instead. But I could not tell my parents, his wife or 4 children that. He knew it would make them feel very odd and perhaps guilty.
2nd was everyone sending his family so much food, flowers, cards etc.. bc it caused so much stress trying to manage all of that. It felt like he had to thank each and every person which was exhausting for him to do. He did not have this type of forum as you do as he passed away in 2002 at 44 y/o. I think he would have chronicled his journey too. He always had an opinion. 🙂
I was struck by your presence of mind, strong character, beautiful nature and immense bravery expressing yourself. I admire you tremendously for it. You will help SO many people to live their lives to the fullest. And have a better understanding of what it is like to have cancer and what is best to do for that person.
Thank you for your very honest post and may your journey be peaceful and filled with all the love you deserve. ❤️
Jess....
Thank you for getting me out of me and sharing your beautiful heart and incredible strength with the Sangha here. You are so loved and I am very grateful for every opportunity I've ever had to be in your presence. You have such a radiant spirit; may it live on forever in that mighty oak tree when the time comes!! Until then, your peace and comfort, and that of your family, will spearhead my prayers. Love you guys!
Blessings,
Erika S.
Dear Jessica, sending you love and wishing you peace and all the comfort possible. Thank you for your frankness in choosing to share your experiences and journey. Reading and listening to your words has been deeply impactful for me on many levels. You are a Beautiful, Brilliant Warrior ❤️
Hey Jess - Sending you all my love, strength, and energy your way. I’m so grateful to have met you, even if only a handful of times. Everyone I’ve ever spoken to has shared the most beautiful things about you. I hope you’re able to find comfort and peace in these moments. Holding you and Chris in my heart ♥️
Steph