One of the chief characteristics of this life: Everything is temporary. Everyone’s life is temporary.
Our online women’s sangha lost our leader, teacher, and dearest friend, Jean Smith, a couple of weeks ago. After a brief and painful hospital visit for gallbladder trouble, she was suddenly home with hospice, then transitioning. She was surrounded by dear friends, one from the sangha, who managed to get there in time, and others from her life in Taos, New Mexico: her horseback riding partner, and her devoted housekeeper.
Jean began our sangha about four years ago, welcoming sober women she knew from New York, New Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina, well, everywhere. Jean knew a lot of people. Before she retired, she was a very accomplished educational publisher. And she published her own books too: novels and spiritual books, books about Buddhism. She studied and practiced vipassana Buddhism, traveled to India, met the Dali Lama, and climbed Mt. Everest.
I did not know Jean in New York, but my partner did. So, I tagged along with her into Jean’s orbit.
What a blessing!
This Thursday, there is a memorial service online to celebrate her life. I, along with our sangha, will be in attendance.
Jean so wanted us to continue, and we are indeed.
Thank you, Jean. Your life has enormously contributed to mine.