If you missed it, here is Alison West’s full comment clarifying what the real deal is behind all that chocolate and booze in Liz Goodyear’s fridge (sadly for us it turns out it was just leftovers from a party, so all of you who went on the Goodyear diet better put those truffles down..bummer!), and giving a broader background about the volunteers and friends who contribute. It seems that Ms. West may have wanted to air her clarifications to the readers and the author of the article but, since the Times page doesn’t have comments open we are delighted that she took the time to write on our blog! Still no comment on whether or not yoga’s involved though.
Just a small clarification: there was champagne and chocolate because we had just celebrated Liz Goodyear’s 101 birthday on June 19! The interviews took place right afterwards. The champagne is going very slowly…
Also, I continue to look for volunteers to join me in this project, since people move away or see their schedules become more demanding. It’s not something that I did only “initially.” It has been ongoing for years.
I have even recruited neighbors in the building, who would become fast friends with Liz and then move away as far as Los Angeles or Seattle, but continue the friendship through visits and phone calls. And yes, many of them have been my students, including Stephanie Sandleben and Rebecca Feldman. Mark Kalinowsky is the friend of a student.
Through these dedicated friends the pool of readers expands. Families of various readers/friends have also visited, as well as boy/girlfriends. And there are a few long time friends who didn’t get mentioned but are regulars, Janet and Bob. Bob Dagny has taken care of Liz’s paperwork for a long time and, for years, had Friday dinner with Liz. And more recently, some friends from the long past have re-appeared, animating Liz’s life with the warmth of old memories and re-discovered affection.
And then there is Carol, Liz’s chief care-giver, who works twelve days out of fourteen, nine to five. She lives to take care of Liz. She is wonderful, and I salute her.
Earlier…Yogis Off the Mat: Donate Time, Forget to Mention Yoga
