Today I spoke with Barbara ( sister of Anita) and the situation is somewhat improved. The family is in consultation with the health care professionals regarding the potential for lung replacement.

Anita recently celebrated her 50th birthday. She was surrounded by members of her family who traveled from various points to participate in the big 50. It just so happened that Anita was gifted with seats at the performance of The LINES Ballet company during their stint at Jacob's Pillow. Let me share with you an email regarding that event.

From Anita Willis

Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2002 21:16:39 -0400
To: VKNelson
From: Anita Willis
Subject: Meeting Alonzo!!!!!!

Hello On Sunday Evening,

I hope all is well in Anniston. We are a bit tired in Boston. Thank you so much for the wonderful privilege and opportunity to see the Ballet and to meet Alonzo.

The show was exceptional. I found myself still wanting to see more at the end. I couldn't imagine where the time had gone. I told Alonzo that the write up for the performance on Jacob's Pillow's web site refers to his dancers as "sleek" and they surely are. They were beautiful. My sister, Barbara and daughter, Allyssa said it best, They said they could see the continuity and "Lines" of the dancers and that Alonzo had achieved a uniformity in body shape so that all of the dancers complemented one another. The program selections were excellent. I loved the music and seeing how he fit the dancing to the music was just wonderful to watch, truly a thing of beauty. What a wonderfully talented company they are. Listening to him and Allyssa speak in artist speak was also rather captivating. They seem to share a philosophy in part on the importance of music and damce and their origins. Allyssa is sending the link to her former employer in Chicago with the hope that they can arrange some type of performance or demonstration there...we feel they are missing out on something great. She is also trying to determine how her students can get an opportunity to see what dedication, commitment and hard work can bring you. She was really pleased and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. My sister did as well and she is happy that you and I have such a warm friendship. My niece, Sarah is twelve and thought she might be able to be a dancer. We also had an opportunity to meet Prince, one of the young male dancers and he was just so cute and shy at the praise he got. He took a couple of pictures with us. I will email you copies when I download them from the camera.

Your Alonzo is such a wonderful talented and down to earth person. There is no hint of success going to his head and making him stuffy. It was so funny, when we first met he shook my hand and after we had talked and laughed together and it was time to say good night he bent down and hugged me and I was so thrilled I felt like my family had just grown another branch. You should be sooooo proud of him.

This goes in my journal as one of my best memories of turning 50. With the friends and family that I have, I can't help but feel extremely blessed. Thank you again for being such a wonderful person and just being you.

Well, as excited as I am, I think I need to get ready for bed. I couldn't let the day go by without sharing my joy with you.

Love,
Anita