A Series of Fortunate Events
Jona and Amy at the Benefit on Sept. 12, 2009
I always think that we as individuals, in our own right, are the last ones of our kind, as in our self. Yes we are all of the same human race, but personality, body, function, and feeling wise we are all completely different. In that sense, we are all on the brink of becoming extinct.
(If that makes any sense & you understand, thank you..sometimes I have a hard time expressing what I think obviously).
Take my friend Jona for example, I just keep telling myself there is no one in this world like him. I have never met someone that walks like him, smiles, squints, laughs, talks, and listens like him. And unfortunately, this unique individual has left this physical world.
How a life of a friend can suddenly slip through your fingertips...
I just saw Jona last Sunday. Still putting up the good fight and talking about how he wanted to get better so he could get out of bed to walk down that aisle with Dawn if they won the 104.3 MYfm wedding competition. I played out the whole scene in my head, I believed it, I knew it could happen because how strong Jona was. I could picture him smiling, crows feet forming in the corner of his eyes.....
Lunch Meeting: August 2009
Let me tell you all something, when Jona & Dawn sat down and told me about Jona's condition, Jona was in control. He knew exactly what he had to do for his well-being. He had so much confidence. What I loved most, was when he said that this whole situation has made him realize how much he wants to know about OTHER people. He wanted to know what you've been up to, where you've been, what are your plans. I found this out first hand when we had lunch at Souplantation the week before he told me he had cancer. I remember that lunch day, we sat for like 2 hours just talking about each other, but he was so into what was going on in my life and how he could possibly help in any way.
Ani, you are definitely one of a kind, and someone I look up to for these reasons.
Lunch Meeting: September 2009
Later on, a week after Jona's Benefit which Dawn and other family and friends helped throw, Jona and I had lunch again. We sat outside a little mediterranean spot on 2nd street; he said it was one of his fav spots ( you know, one of those fav places where even the manager knows you) in the fresh air while he expressed how he was still on cloud nine from the benefit. He couldn't believe the turnout and how much everyone helped raised. He was grateful to see some of the old Lucille's coworkers there to. He was sooo happy, he kept expressing this. I asked him what made him pop that surprise proposal that night at his benefit (if you weren't there, a lot of us were in tears it was great! So much good vibes & love in the air). Jona said he had thrown around the idea, but knowing his condition he wasn't sure what he should do. He said he had talked to his aunt and that's when he made the decision. When talking to his aunt, he realized that there is no one else he wanted then Dawn, because Dawn stood by his side this whole time through this and for the past couple years. I couldn't have agreed more with him.
Dawn if you're reading, you are an awesome girlfriend. I know Ani loved you so much! The way he talked about you.....Especially realizing that he wanted YOU for the rest of his life....that is pretty special. Thank you for sticking by his side and being that crutch. You both are amazing, and it was my goal to make sure everyone I knew voted for you guys to win that free wedding on the radio!!!!
By the way, if you are reading this and you voted for Dawn & Jona on 104.3 MYfm...you are very much appreciated! Thank you to everyone who spread the word, or donated to Jona. There are people I know that had never met Jona and voted and showed support... thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and efforts.
Last Sunday's final meet:
I spent 2 hours or so with Jona last Sunday. It felt real good to finally go see him. We visited for awhile, and all I can say is that when I had to leave, I couldn't really give him a hug, so we held hands for a minute....exhanged words... told each other we'd text one another and give updates on his situation.
And when I said goodbye I couldn't help but notice how he closed his eyes for a few seconds while he held my hand. At that moment I remember thinking how I wished I could send my good energy and health to him... maybe a few seconds of no pain before I had to leave.... or wondering if he was thinking what I was thinking or feeling....who knows...
Today:
Well Ani, I've already said a lot. But I just want you to know that I love you and I meant it every time I said it. You will be missed, and little things here and there will always remind me of you... and conversations of you will spring up now and then. You will definitely always be my favorite lunch buddy!!!
Love you Ani.
<3 "Imo"
Tanakasan
November 1, 2009:
I thought about you yesterday... I always thought you had the best Halloween costumes. Halloween definitely isn't the same not seeing you coming up with something clever. On my way home from work I was thinking about how whenever we would call each other we always had to start off with our fobby Japanese greeting. "Moshi moshi Ani!!!! Konnichiwa!! O-genki desu ka!!???" hehe.. oh Jona I will miss those phone calls so much... Love you and miss you
Click here to see Jona's clever Halloween costumes
November 11, 2009:
Hung out with Nat and Jason tonight.. got to talking about good o' lucilles again.. made me think of you. Still loved how much we were able to trick people into thinking we were bro and sis ... hahaha even coworkers fell for it.. it was great. Keep on watching over us Ani! Aishiteru! miss ya
(If that makes any sense & you understand, thank you..sometimes I have a hard time expressing what I think obviously).
Take my friend Jona for example, I just keep telling myself there is no one in this world like him. I have never met someone that walks like him, smiles, squints, laughs, talks, and listens like him. And unfortunately, this unique individual has left this physical world.
How a life of a friend can suddenly slip through your fingertips...
I just saw Jona last Sunday. Still putting up the good fight and talking about how he wanted to get better so he could get out of bed to walk down that aisle with Dawn if they won the 104.3 MYfm wedding competition. I played out the whole scene in my head, I believed it, I knew it could happen because how strong Jona was. I could picture him smiling, crows feet forming in the corner of his eyes.....
Lunch Meeting: August 2009
Let me tell you all something, when Jona & Dawn sat down and told me about Jona's condition, Jona was in control. He knew exactly what he had to do for his well-being. He had so much confidence. What I loved most, was when he said that this whole situation has made him realize how much he wants to know about OTHER people. He wanted to know what you've been up to, where you've been, what are your plans. I found this out first hand when we had lunch at Souplantation the week before he told me he had cancer. I remember that lunch day, we sat for like 2 hours just talking about each other, but he was so into what was going on in my life and how he could possibly help in any way.
Ani, you are definitely one of a kind, and someone I look up to for these reasons.
Lunch Meeting: September 2009
Later on, a week after Jona's Benefit which Dawn and other family and friends helped throw, Jona and I had lunch again. We sat outside a little mediterranean spot on 2nd street; he said it was one of his fav spots ( you know, one of those fav places where even the manager knows you) in the fresh air while he expressed how he was still on cloud nine from the benefit. He couldn't believe the turnout and how much everyone helped raised. He was grateful to see some of the old Lucille's coworkers there to. He was sooo happy, he kept expressing this. I asked him what made him pop that surprise proposal that night at his benefit (if you weren't there, a lot of us were in tears it was great! So much good vibes & love in the air). Jona said he had thrown around the idea, but knowing his condition he wasn't sure what he should do. He said he had talked to his aunt and that's when he made the decision. When talking to his aunt, he realized that there is no one else he wanted then Dawn, because Dawn stood by his side this whole time through this and for the past couple years. I couldn't have agreed more with him.
Dawn if you're reading, you are an awesome girlfriend. I know Ani loved you so much! The way he talked about you.....Especially realizing that he wanted YOU for the rest of his life....that is pretty special. Thank you for sticking by his side and being that crutch. You both are amazing, and it was my goal to make sure everyone I knew voted for you guys to win that free wedding on the radio!!!!
By the way, if you are reading this and you voted for Dawn & Jona on 104.3 MYfm...you are very much appreciated! Thank you to everyone who spread the word, or donated to Jona. There are people I know that had never met Jona and voted and showed support... thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and efforts.
Last Sunday's final meet:
I spent 2 hours or so with Jona last Sunday. It felt real good to finally go see him. We visited for awhile, and all I can say is that when I had to leave, I couldn't really give him a hug, so we held hands for a minute....exhanged words... told each other we'd text one another and give updates on his situation.
And when I said goodbye I couldn't help but notice how he closed his eyes for a few seconds while he held my hand. At that moment I remember thinking how I wished I could send my good energy and health to him... maybe a few seconds of no pain before I had to leave.... or wondering if he was thinking what I was thinking or feeling....who knows...
Today:
Well Ani, I've already said a lot. But I just want you to know that I love you and I meant it every time I said it. You will be missed, and little things here and there will always remind me of you... and conversations of you will spring up now and then. You will definitely always be my favorite lunch buddy!!!
Love you Ani.
<3 "Imo"
Tanakasan
November 1, 2009:
I thought about you yesterday... I always thought you had the best Halloween costumes. Halloween definitely isn't the same not seeing you coming up with something clever. On my way home from work I was thinking about how whenever we would call each other we always had to start off with our fobby Japanese greeting. "Moshi moshi Ani!!!! Konnichiwa!! O-genki desu ka!!???" hehe.. oh Jona I will miss those phone calls so much... Love you and miss you
Click here to see Jona's clever Halloween costumes
November 11, 2009:
Hung out with Nat and Jason tonight.. got to talking about good o' lucilles again.. made me think of you. Still loved how much we were able to trick people into thinking we were bro and sis ... hahaha even coworkers fell for it.. it was great. Keep on watching over us Ani! Aishiteru! miss ya