Thank You

posted 8 months ago

The Time of My Life

What a difference two days make. Even though I have been running around America, no sleep doing talk shows and dealing with the departure from “Dancing With The Stars” that I loved so much, I got to dance with Tony on “The View” in a completely relaxed and happy way. I was also able to talk about Eons, even briefly.

All I can say is that I thank the fans from the bottom of my heart for their support and everywhere I’m going on airplanes, in airports, in restaurants, people of all ages are coming up to me and telling me how inspired they were by the journey that I took. It was a journey, it wasn’t easy.

It was emotionally and physically extraordinarily challenging. But, at the end of the day I’ve discovered that I love to dance, I’ve discovered that the impossible is possible. Yes, I can dance even with a bad back. I’ve discovered that this form of dancing has actually permanently helped my spine and my back and I have a new joy for life. I am so happy I have been able to share this with so many millions of people to let them know it’s never too late to try something new. It’s never too late to discover what it is that gives you joy.

I’m on my way to Jackson, Tennessee to help my friend Dianne Odell, who is the longest surviving woman in an iron lung. This woman’s life has been unbelievable and any problems or issues I’ve ever felt are diminished instantly when I meet with Dianne and just see the love, gratitude and generosity this woman exudes in her life living in this iron lung and only seeing the world through a mirror. I’ll be there for three days showing my art and going to various events to help raise money for Dianne and the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

I’m glad to have time to be with my family, to see my kids, to take a deep breath and come back to normal. I’m thoroughly going to enjoy the finale of “Dancing With The Stars” when I get to see all my new friends that I made on the show. I made some wonderful friends whilst doing it.

I am really looking forward to doing what I can to help foster kids, to help kids who are in need who’ve been victims of child abuse and one day Tony and I have already discussed that we are going to come up with a dance to honor Christopher Reeve and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to dance a special freestyle dance with lifts to “Somewhere in Time”.

Comments

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1. 8 months ago Lynn1 wrote:

Oh I so want to see that dance! Please let us know where we can see you and Tony dance. What a wonderful idea to dance to that beautiful music and to do lifts, my favorite part of the group dance. To do it for Christopher's foundation especially how dancing has helped your back is inspired. I will miss watching you on TV each week. Thank you for sharing your joy of dance with all of us. I wish you all the best in whatever you do next. Thank you for including us on this wonderful ride.

2. 8 months ago cloudyblue wrote:

Jane this has been a wonderful experience for us as well. Since you belong to Eons you feel like part of our very large and extended family. We all will miss you, but I can imagine you are a bit worn out. You were marvelous!!!!! Please do as Lynn1 requested and let us know when you and Tony will be dancing for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. Thank you for having such a giving, loving, and strong spirit. I admire you for all that you have accomplished. Thank you

3. 8 months ago Debirae wrote:

Just continue to be you, to inspire those that come in contact with you, through TV, your blogs, or whatever you may do, as you are truly one in a million.

Blessings,

Debbie

4. 8 months ago MissMartha wrote:

Dear Jane -- you are an inspiration to us all. My hobby is WW2 Living History and I had to learn how to swing dance a couple of years ago. I was afraid due to a bad back, but I've had the time of my life!

May God Bless you and your family and all your projects

5. 8 months ago aprilnyc wrote:

I heard the Eons reference, thanks for mentioing us first as your voting support group! ;-)
The public really loves your efforts and hope you showcase dance with Tony very soon!
You are a true enlightenend Renaissance woman, art, dance, charity, keep it up!

6. 8 months ago Sarahinjax wrote:

We are going to MISS you, Jane!! Look forward to seeing you on the finale. Bless you for helping your friend in Tennessee and all you do for kids. Your artwork is beautiful, by the way! I'm so glad you are going to do a tribute dance to Christopher and Dana Reeve. Please let us know when/where it will air so we can tape it. They both inspired me SO much (as do you); I belong to their foundation also. When I used to be in the travel biz, Christopher was one of our clients. When he had his accident, we sent him one of those HUGE cards, as big as a poster. We put a whole package of Superman stickers all over it, inside and out! Over a hundred people signed it; we got a personal note from Dana a couple of weeks later, and it meant so much to all of us. I have a photo of them together on my shelf with my family photos because I felt so much affection for them. I am so sorry they are gone. Ed and I love the music so much from "Somewhere in Time" that we had some of it taped and played at our wedding! Thank you again for all you do and for being such a blessing and inspiration to us gals and guys over 50! I am so glad dancing has brought you such joy; it's wonderful to hear for those of us with back injuries. Love and God bless you and your family; Sarah and Ed Lopez, Jacksonville FL

7. 8 months ago Dancer65 wrote:

"I had the time of my life", good for you Jane, you are an inspiration to all. What fun it has been to watch you having fun, learning a new skill, having the time of your life.

8. 8 months ago lyn07 wrote:

What a lovely post from an extraordinary woman. Your grace and courage inspired millions of women. The goals you have set for yourself and the heart to want to help so many is truly touching. May the adventure continue for you..........and may you be blessed.
Lyn

9. 8 months ago BusyBeeGal wrote:

I think you are great in whatever you do.I send you many Blessings and thank you for being a friend to us on Eons.

10. 8 months ago beachannie53 wrote:

I am new here and I am impressed that you have taken the time to be part of this site. I am always excited to hear that someone as yourself talk of helping foster children. It is always a battle to get support for foster children and their foster families. The support is falling rapidly for what is available to these children and what follows them as they age out or are adopted. Their battles are never over. We have spent time battling for children/families and it isn't a pleasant road. Our personal battles keep on for rights for our one foster/adopted daughter and another one is simmering for our son. I wish you all the best in helping in this issue.

11. 8 months ago HappyFeat wrote:

Jane, I got goose bumps when you mentioned a special dance to honor Christopher Reeve with lifts to "Somewhere in Time." Knowing you, it will be graceful, elegant, and emotionally moving. What happened to Christopher was devastating, and he fought so hard, but did a world of good in focusing attention on spinal cord injuries. It is always inspiring to see people who are able to take their own challenges and turn them into a vehicle to help others. Keep up the great work, we love you!

12. 8 months ago bfleck4 wrote:

You are an extraordinary person. Thanks for bringing "elegant" to 'Dancing with the Stars'. Bless you and your family.

13. 8 months ago Meg48 wrote:

It's been a privilege to support you through this amazing journey of yours. I would advise that you keep doing those back exercises, because you know... we all know... that back pain will come back! Especially if you have any arthritis or disk problems... so stay limber. (I should talk! I'm going to do some stretches right now!:)

14. 8 months ago grammalpn wrote:

The "thank you" goes to you because of the inspiration you have been to so many. And, now, to read about the things you are still doing for those in such great need, I continue to be inspired. I cannot imagine life in an iron lung (I knew someone who survived polio by living in one for a while), but with the kind of support people like you give to Dianne, life is made a little easier. I'm sure she also sends a big "thank you" for your inspiration. Way to go!

15. 8 months ago RingerRay wrote:

Great dancing Jane! You are so classy, so elegant. I commend you for your outreach efforts to help the less fortunate. It is a measure of your character.

I understand a bit the pressure to dance in front of an audience where every step is watched, having as a college student practised with 7 other couples for 75 hours to perform two dances in front of an audience of about 2000. You have my respect and admiration

16. 8 months ago maggie1218 wrote:

We loved your grace and Beauty on Dancing With the Stars, but we get to share your insights on Eons.
Welcome back! and glad you and your family are safe.

Maggie

17. 8 months ago ChefJan wrote:

Jane,

Congratulations on following your dream and becoming a tremendous idol to many acrossed the world. You are an inspiration to many and an example to those of us that believe that life after 50 can be better than ever ! I adore you and only hope the best for you as you continue to grow and show the world what a fabulous women you really are.

18. 8 months ago peterr wrote:

Thank you Jane. You represented your mom, yourself and Eons well. You brought class to a show that was already doing well. Best of all you got me to watch it. Now that is a feat. A new, but your true fan.

19. 8 months ago Akelei wrote:

Gosh, I'd LOVE to see that dance, Jane. I'd love to see you and Dony do something ... like doing a dance DVD ... or working in a movie together. Knowing that Tony has *some* film experience (I've seen "Shall we Dance") I can imagine it very well.

Anyway, I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to see your dream come true and watch you dance. You did so well... no wait, that's wrong. You did more than well, you were outstanding, and I was so sad to see it end. But I hope this is not the end for you but merely a new beginning.

Love always,
Akelei

20. 7 months ago woodlandsgirl wrote:

Jane, I was crushed to see you go and the show (DWTS)won't be nearly as much fun without you. Just rest assured that you made a very strong showing and did yourself proud. I do hope you will continue to dance as I feel you are a gifted dancer. Much luck and love in everything you do!

21. 7 months ago LkeeperDeb wrote:

Dear Jane,

I'm leaving a comment on your "Thank You" thread because I just have to thank you for showing me the way to Eons! What an amazing place with wonderful people. I am having so much fun talking to people and decorating my profile page and joining groups that have people who share my interests. Thank you, thank you, thank you. :-)

Debbie

22. 2 months ago EddieSmith wrote:

You are an extraordinary person. Thanks for bringing "elegant" to 'Dancing with the Stars'. Bless you and your family.

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