Retreat thanks, Mary Vance obituary

[Janet Gilmore]

Dear Sangha,

I wanted to take a moment to say I am filled with gratitude for the just completed Austin retreat with Anam Thubten.  I have received quite a few thank you notes from out-of-towners and first-timers who had an incredible experience and extended their heartfelt gratitude to our sangha for hosting the retreat.  

Thanks to everyone who helped with all the many many jobs.  Setup, takedown, transport of people and things, financial management, registration before and during,  Rinpoche's attendants, sound system, flowers, food for Rinpoche, food for after party,  meditation hall monitor, Umzeds, planning committee, safety, coordination with the facility, communication with attendees, and really everyone that attended or held participants in practice even when not able to personally attend.  And many bows and much gratitude to Justin Cooper, who was a wonderful coordinator, stepping in when Asenath realized she would not be able to share the role with him after her son's surgery was scheduled to happen at the same time.  By the way, we all send Asenath and Gus so much love and healing energy as Gus recovers from his surgery last week and heads towards high school graduation and college. Go Gus!

What wonderful teachings and the dedication of meditation by participants was palpable!  It was a great retreat, very beneficial for attendees and no doubt great waves of benefit will continue to come from this past week. 

I also just received this link to Mary Vance's obituary.  I was amazed to read about all she had done. She was a very humble bodhisattva in our midst.  She was missed at the retreat and our sangha will continue to miss her presence very much.  If you'd like to send a card to her husband, Dan, the address is:  4009 Burnet Rd

Austin, TX  78756.  In the obituary, the family mentions she was a member of the Dharmata Sangha (I was so glad to see this) and suggests donations to Planned Parenthood, Doctors without Borders, or Sierra Club.

Much love and gratitude to all,

Janet