Hi Jeff

I’m very touched to read this, on Mothers Day, with two of my sons nearby. Thank you for sharing something so special with us strangers. Being with my own mother when she was dying was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. So as my thoughts turn to you and your mother, I hope that there will be beauty and wonder for you both, too, during this difficult time. And I bet your mother’s even more proud of you today, knowing that you’ve decided being with her is more important than being at Cannes– I know I would be. Kia kaha, kia manawanui, as people from Aotearoa New Zealand sometimes say at times like this: stay strong, hang on to your big heart!

Hi Jeff,
Very sorry to hear about your mother. You are totally right. People come first, everything else is just trivia. I can relate totally to your situation. My mother nearly died a couple of years ago and I dropped everything in my career and it caused me many financial problems and set my carrer back at bit to spent nearly every day at the hospital for many months but none of that mattered. You only have one mum and my policy is always people first, especially those close to you.
Although my mum recovered she has taken another bad turn this year and I’m keeping an eye on things. She to is proud of all my achievement in the music industry and says she hopes to last long enought to see my first feature film finally get made and do a cameo extra in it for posterity.
I hope she hangs around long enough but in any case I’m there for her if the worst comes to worst.
I will send positives thought to you to help you cope and I’m here to say you got your priorities right.

Best

Russ

Hello Jeff

Thank you for sharing. Family is just too important. I live in Vancouver, British Columbia yet all my family is back in Ontario. I went home for a visit a few weeks back. It was a bad time to go, yet I’m so glad I did.

I struggle as a film-maker and it always blows me away everytime my parents mention how proud they are of me.

Enjoy the time you have left to spend with your mother. Make the most of it.

I understand all too well Jeff, my mother passed away from cancer around this time in 2007. It’s a hard thing to deal with. Surround yourself with friends and Family. And try to remain positive, concentrate on the good times shared.

Trevor

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE (by W.B. Yeats)

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles
made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the
honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes
dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the
cricket sings,
There midnight’s all a-glimmer, and noon a purple
glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the
shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements
gray,
I hear it in the deep heat’s core.

Typo in the first draft, sorry.
The second one is correct.

Cannes will be there next year. Today I am spending Mother’s Day with my daughter who just had brain and back surgery, instead of doing the color correction on my new film. I wanted it to be at Cannes this year, but you are oh so very right about placing a priority on the important people in your life. Cannes will wait, my film will wait, but every moment with my daughter at this time is precious. Your post was a wonderful Mother’s Day present to me and my thoughts and prayers are with you as you spend this time with your Mom.

Hi Jeff,

I’m really so sorry to hear about your mom and what you must be going through right now.

Thanks for sharing with us this truly beautiful email, and may God bless you both…..

Stacey

Well said Jeff. I look after my 87 year old mother, rather than put her in a nursing home, where she may feel forgotten. Today,on Mother’s Day, she is getting visits from family and friends and she knows she is much loved. Family always comes before business. Even if the business is in the beautiful south of France. Keep up your great work. We all appreciate your creating Film Closings. Thank you.

Jeff,
I’m sorry to hear about your mother. At the same time, thank you for taking a moment to push the re-set button for many of us who get so caught up in day-to-day survival that we don’t pause to notice the joy given us by those we love. You’ve got your priorities exactly right, and if everyone could remember that order, the world would probably be a much happier place. My thoughts are with you.

Now I’m off to give my little “joy” (my daughter) a hug.

Eric

I’m really sorry Jeff . When you grow up you realize how many things your mother did for you. She help you to become a “person”, and as you said, first is the person and then the rest will come easily…

Take care

When we step-back from our career ambition and daily distractions and examine our lives, what truly matters is the time we have with our loved ones and friends. This is what life is truly about. We can work hard to achieve, money, clout, maybe fame, but that is all fleeting. Family is what we truly have when all else fails.
Jeff, as you share this difficult time with us, we in turn support you. We respond b/c we care. Your mother must have been a great mom as you are a good soul. We see your passion and altruism for this community through your blog.
Thank you for reminding us of what truly matters in life.

You are in many people’s thoughts and prayers. Godspeed to you, your mother, and your family.

William Spear

# 30 #

First people, then money, then things… so true but with a small tweek.

First people, then ideas, then money, then things…

Thanks Jeff for sharing your many interesting ideas about people, money and things..

Strength to you in this time of change.