32 Comments
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Elizabeth Pizzinato's avatar

A very moving post Jill. How wonderful that you did not shy away from this request. Thank you for sharing. Coincidentally we were listening to Chances yesterday and reminiscing about watching you perform this album virtually during Covid. It was a wonderful experience!

Jill Barber's avatar

Thanks, Elizabeth! Those virtual concerts were a bit of a lifeline for me during Covid. It is remarkable how intimate it could still feel, despite a screen between us.

Lewis Cluett's avatar

Thank you Jill for the post. For those of us where music is so foundational in life, the post is inspirational.

Jill Barber's avatar

Thank you, Lewis! This experience was inspirational for me, so I wanted to share.

Lewis Cluett's avatar

Listened to “For all Times”, perhaps for the first time in it’s entirety: The songs are as fresh as they were some 20 years ago and so fierce! Legacy’s lyrics are timeless.

Cynthia  Friesen's avatar

Dear Jill, it’s such a holy space to be called into … such moments change us. As for threshold songs … I have a list that is too long. You’ve nudged me to narrow it down. ✨

James Kinsley's avatar

Powerful stuff. V moving.

I'd choose Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch singing I'll Fly Away

Louise Chiasson's avatar

Dear Jill… You have a big heart ❤️, I always knew this. Your story is very moving and it takes kindness, compassion and courage to perform in front of …pain. I did it a lot just before covid, in long term care facilities and Alzheimer’s / dementia research centres. It was hard but as artists, no matter where we are in our journey, i always feel that we should share our gift, especially where it’s most needed.

Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us 🙏🏻 It’s truly special ❣️ Louise 🌷

PS I don’t see a lot of shows, but i too, hope to hear you live. someday. Take good care!

Lisa Williams's avatar

Wow. This hit hard. My father-in-law and my brother both chose MAID to end their suffering. My brother ended up passing the evening before the procedure was scheduled but I am so thankful that he had the choice. I am a strong supporter of MAID and our right to go out on our own terms. Thank you Jill for easing Cynthia's transition. Having been your fan for many years, I can just imagine what peace and joy you offered her in those moments. I fully plan to use MAID if I find myself in the position to need it and I hope that my passing can be as beautiful as Cynthia's was. Rest assured there will be a medley of my favourite Canadian artists' music playing in the background. :)

Jill Barber's avatar

Thanks, Lisa. Sending love from the west coast! xo

Claire Cameron's avatar

“I want you to know I have no fear,” I hope many of us have this chance to say this. Beautiful moment to share, thank you for it.

Jill Barber's avatar

Indeed. Thanks for reading, Claire!

Tricia Monahan's avatar

What a gift of comfort you brought to Cynthia. Thank you for sharing this truly moving life changing experience. I work in health care and strongly support Maid for people who wish to face death on their own terms. I have had the privilege to see you perform both virtually and in person. You have an amazing connection to your audience like you are singing just them.

You shine bright ⭐️

Jill Barber's avatar

Thank you, Tricia. Deep bow of respect to all those who work in health care. 🙏

Christophe de la Chanonie's avatar

You show courage facing such a moment playing one of your songs for this person. You chose not a comfortable situation. Don't want to bother with my comment and you are free with it. I've seen people dying in front of me, it was moving, but after there was a kind of peace for me because it was natural ; hard but natural. If killing someone is love, is dignity, as laws present it, there's probably something wrong. I think we can't reduce dignity to our own feeling on ourselves, and our own feeling on people too. A society who decides whose living is dignity or not, doesn't look human to me. We already had, but no glory. Is there peace in the atmosphere, or some trouble (malaise) we try to hide ? There's enough trouble with dying. Looks to me we add some with these laws. But my country takes the same path.

Jill Barber's avatar

Thanks for your thoughtful commentary, Christophe.

Dr. Kristopher Wells's avatar

What a beautiful gift. ❤️🙏

Lindsay Cameron Wilson's avatar

Tears on the keyboard Jill. Big fat tender tears.

My song? Dark Angel, with a transition to the Avett Brother's no hard feelings. Sob!

Jill Barber's avatar

Thanks, Lindsay!

Cathy Carson's avatar

Beautiful and brave. Thank you for sharing.

Suzie Ungerleider's avatar

This is very moving, Jill. ❤️

Lo Carmen's avatar

What an amazing privilege, and an amazing woman to make that choice.

Always a Reader's avatar

Such a touching post. I am crying.

Dan Mangan's avatar

beautiful. all of it.