I found out yesterday that a friend took her own life in January. Joene was not a close friend...she was someone I knew through church, but she left our church a few years ago and never returned. I knew she was depressed--she was having health and job problems. I reached out to her via e-mail and became her Facebook friend, but she did not respond to my efforts to connect. I know that any efforts on my part would not have prevented her from choosing the route she did, but I wish I could have let her know that I cared. I enjoyed making music with her while she was part of our community.
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| On the ark at Holden Village, 2007 |
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| Performing with "Consulting with Papists," 2008 |
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| Another "Consorting" performance |
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| Singing and playing with the band |
Joene was a librarian, spoke Spanish, and didn't have faith in her own voice until she started singing in the band. I remember how much she loved it, but even though I invited her to join us each time we got the band together again, I never heard from her. I'm sure that when you are depressed, being around happy people...and especially happy families...is especially hard.
I will miss you, my friend, and always remember your music and your smile.
Thankyou so much Marie. Joene was/is so precious to me. I'm her younger sister Holly and she taught me how to play some of the first songs I played on guitar. We also sang and made music together. Joene was loved very much. I believe she is able to fully experience that love now...
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