LizAnn's Debut Movement Performance

March 3, 2009

Last night was the 3rd annual progressive art evening in Livingston, MT. The event concept begins with an artist creating a work of art in 3 days; the artwork is passed on to a writer who pulls inspiration from the piece and creates a written piece which is then passed on to the next artist as inspiration for their piece…etc. Each person has 3 days. For the past 2 months a group of writers and artists participated. Last night the project was displayed and each written piece was performed in succession by someone other than the writer. LizAnn attended the event a year ago with her friend Lara…and together they suggested to the event coordinator that the art form missing from the event was movement/dance performance. The event coordinator asked Lara months ago if she wanted to participate. Lara and LizAnn collaborated a few weeks ago and a video of their performance was played as part of the art progressive event last night.

We arrived at the venue after a fine dinner with a dozen friends. We rolled from the restaurant down the street (literally…since the curbs in Livingston are not handicap friendly…one of the many things I never noticed before but am so aware of now). The event was held in a local bar/dance club…upstairs…! After inquiring with the bartender, we were taken to the freight elevator by the owner. Large alarming signs announced “Freight Elevator -- NO people allowed!” The bar tender warned us that the elevator was “SCARY” and she hadn’t exaggerated. It was an open shaft with a big old chain and worn wood. Squeaking and groaning, the elevator slowly raised us as the owner operated it from above. I kept the chain from hitting LizAnn…we laughed and talked our way up the thing. Felt like we were in some old movie…and I half expected to see the Phantom of the opera or Lefou peering from the shaft above. Once upstairs we enjoyed socializing with dozens of friends. The event was well attended with standing room only. During LizAnn and Lara’s video portion of the evening I fought tears sprung from pride at the beauty, bravery and life LizAnn emanates in her performance just six months since her accident. Their contribution was a real crowd pleaser…enthusiastic clapping and hooting and hollering from the audience. So here’s the neat part: You can view the video of LizAnn and Lara’s performance on You Tube by following the link below. The video was played on the big screen in much higher quality than you’ll see on You Tube but you can get an idea of their creativity and art.
If you have feedback then I encourage you to direct it toward LizAnn directly via phone or e-mail. I will forward to LizAnn any e-mail that comes to me as well.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tFyMm_A-N4

Inaugeration Bash

LizAnn and friends were out celebrating the night of the inauguration at a packed private venue. I pushed her through the crowd when they replayed Obama’s speech on a big screen. She had missed the speech earlier in the day so we shared those joyous moments, me crouched behind her, arms around her. Afterwards, a young girl curiously and a bit shyly approached LizAnn to check out her chair. LizAnn asked little Ruby if she wanted up on the chair and after a shy but excited nod, LizAnn pulled her up and spun her around for a little ride on the edge of the dance floor. Once Ruby was done with her ride (I believe she would have been happy sitting there all night!) LizAnn and I began dancing on the edge of the dance floor. A handsome fella she didn’t know, approached LizAnn, grabbed her arms and began spinning her around. They danced the rest of the song. We danced and danced…at one point she yelled over the music, “Help me get in front of the stage! I’ve always danced center-stage…why stop now?!” So…we bumped our way to the front where we continued dancing, song after song…various men, lots of girlfriends, me, her sister Jane, and JoJo (the fella who broke her fall and spent the night on Mt Cowen with her)…each taking turns dancing with that beautiful woman.

New Year - A New Home

LizAnn spent the first night of the new year in her recently remodeled home. She is still settling into the new space, unpacking and getting herself set up there. Many people volunteered countless hours to the project. Peter Belschwender from On Site Management headed up the remodel. He performed an impressive job of keeping the project organized…setting a schedule and meeting deadlines. He also spent a big chunk of the last few months working on the place. His dedication and selfless service was key to the progress and realization of adapting LizAnn’s home to her new lifestyle. We are in awe of the kindness everyone has shown…your efforts are a testament to a caring community…her home a work of love…DEEPLY appreciated. LizAnn sends heartfelt thanks to all.

All Caring community activities (meals, shoveling, etc.) will now take place at her residence on 222 E. Koch.
Thank-you!

Amber

LizAnn Writes a Note

My dear good friends,
Some of whom I do not even know that well... some of whom are anominus,

I wanna thank you all so much. Such an amazing group of friends and gathering of our community. I was so overwhelmed that day I walked into the house and saw 15 or so people painting and continue to be overwhelmed with tears of gratitude and love. I can hardly believe the generousity of time and skills and favours that you all have offered me. The remodel of my house is beautiful and cool and uplifting. It is the most tangible of gifts. There are are gifts that are not as obvious, such as the wonderful, heart warming letters, the tastey meals and treats, the professional advice, and the thoughtful gifts over the last few monthes.
My heart has grown so large and I feel so very blessed by everbody's efforts.

It has been hard for me to thank everyone individually as I would like to because my tolerance for sitting at the writting desk or computer is limited by comfort and some pain. I still need my rest and that is still a hard thing for me to schedule into the day. I find that now that I am back in Bozeman, I have been trying to keep my old schedule of doing toooo much. Or just more than is good for me right now.
One of the many lessons I am trying to honor is to slow down. It is a hard one! But, I better get it down, cause it is how I am going to need to live life for a while. When I think about it, it is a wonderful process, to slow dow, we can savor moments and interactions with our friends. We can savor our food and wine. We can feel. We can feel more than we ever thought. We can realize our blessings. We can become perhaps more effective. So that is one( of many) of my new year resolutions, to slow down. Hopefully that will give me more
clairity on life and lifes offerings and choices. Hopefully I will become more complete by actually choosing instead of saying yes to everything. I will learn to choosen the more important things to do and focus on. I encourage you all to remind me anytime and to join me in some savory slowness!
As soon as I am settled I would love to invite ya all over to enjoy the new pad with me and share in some food and drink and let me appreciate you...of coarse it won't be any time too soon....
Now I will get back to some less enjoyable paperwork!!!
peace and good cheer to all of you

LizAnn

Solstice Celebration

I am just about to turn in after a lovely Solstice Celebration with girlfriends on a crispy cold winter’s eve here at my humble cabin home. Livingston town lights below twinkle like a Christmas card complete with fine ice-crystal sky which frosts everything in a winter night softness. Twelve beautiful women gathered (minus one… who unfortunately got in a fender-bender on the way here and decided to return home). Homemade taco soup (kind of like chili) made with antelope was served. Other extra yummy goodies, hot buttered rum, wine and chocolate truffles added to the festivity.

We held a ritual to honor the darkness and welcome the light. We burned that which we wanted to release. We talked of loss, and hope…set intentions and made wishes. We held hands. We sang. We laughed. We shed tears.

LizAnn added her spectacular brand of cheer and insight. Today was her first visit to my cabin since the August morning I made her and Leslie breakfast and called Joe for beta before they set off for Mt Cowen. I think of the full moon night Leslie spent with LizAnn at the lake in anticipation of their climb. The morning they set out for the summit, I went for a run in Paradise Valley and blew them kisses toward the ridge where I knew they were climbing.

I think of the night Joe spent with LizAnn in the gully. The same sleepless night I brought Leslie here after the last radio transmission when we could do no more for the rescue until morning. I made the phone calls to her family and fiancé, fed Leslie and began the e-mail messages. I think of all this humble home has held…am filled with awe…and love…and gratitude.

A few days ago LizAnn and I swam laps at the heated pool. She moves beautifully with strength and grace through the water. I strapped some weights on my legs and raced her, trying to just use my arms. Phew! We spent well more than an hour executing the post-pool shower/change since these things take extra time (so we fit in extra girl chat).

She is moving into her home this week.

A journey embarked by three and punctuated by one large loose rock has been entered into and shared by so many. Tonight LizAnn spoke of how profound the love has been. Deep shifts, raw honest humble living, lots of gumption and an indomitable spirit have been gifted to all of us who share her journey. I am full of gratitude for the contribution each of you have made…even your thoughts and certainly your love have added grace.

I want to send each of you a hug in honor of the darkness life carries and a smile for the light we have shared with our beloved LizAnn.

With bright light and the promise of longer days,
Amber

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Bright Light of Community

Since the phone call from Scott Gill (Search & Rescue) at 9:45 pm on August 17 with the Olympic Relay already in progress to rescue LizAnn through today, November 27, Thanksgiving Day. So much has happened to not only LizAnn but to all of us that know her and love her. Because of you LizAnn, this community in our beautiful corner of the universe has come together for one common simplistic reason: To unconditionally help another human being. You have been not only an insipration but also a catalyst for random acts of kindness. Thank you Amber and Bobbi Jo for being the messengers and collectively providing this site and the Helping Hands site as a platform for all of us to stay informed on how we can all proactively participate. And more recently, Peter Belshwender for synthesizing all the folks who have been helping with the house renovation. I am thankful for the sense of interconnectedness we all have on this day.

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving To All!
John Kudrna

LizAnn's HOME!

Grins, tears, hugs and joy…LizAnn is home!

Hoots and cheers erupted from the crowd of forty friends as LizAnn wheeled herself into the terminal…bright and beaming. Nearing the loud enthusiastic crowd, she veered a wee bit off-course as emotion nearly overcame her. She quickly got back on course, a huge smile on her face. I wrapped her in a festive pink boa…others draped beads and leis as an outpouring of hugs were shared.

She looks good.

One little tyke was quite taken by her “big wheels.” He seemed like he wanted to climb aboard her chair for a ride. Some cute little girls gave her a little bag with iridescent glass pebbles…LizAnn asked intriguingly, “Are they magic?”

Her nephew gave LizAnn a perfectly shaped heart rock on which he’d written “WELL COME HOME. I love you.” He found the rock all by himself (near his mother’s bed…!)

LizAnn’s brother John commented on the appropriateness of the word “WELLCOME.”

She is well. She is home.

-Amber Jean