Overview

"Jan was an outstanding teacher who inspired students and teachers alike until multiple sclerosis forced her to retire. In this poignant memoir, Jan's filmmaker husband relates the story of her journey through life and how it was shaped by things both large and small. He recounts how they chose each other to share their future, taking the reader beyond the wedding and ""happily ever after"" moment to portray their love story to its end. Though Jan's illness is present, this is not a book about her disease, but rather about a well-lived life, with a sad but uplifting ending."

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9781958363843

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Reviews

"Using a book as his canvas, Bill Blanchard paints a word portrait of Jan, his first love, for us to see and feel. He blends perspectives from a palette of people who knew her as a daughter, sister, teacher, co-worker, mother, adventurer, dreamer and source of inspiration, but most of all as his wife. Jan's Journey is a love story of a life that is too short, too painful, but well-lived. -Victor Rauch, retired journalist Besides being a remarkable story of courage and determination, this is a moving account of a deeply loving marriage, and the gripping, sad but inevitable ending surely will bring tears to your eyes. -Bob Trezise, retired Lansing Schools English teacher, and Joan Trezise, retired Lansing Schools librarian What an extraordinary love story! I taught with Jan for several years and I thought I knew her pretty well. This book proves that I did not. She was an amazing woman who struggled with difficulties. I was blessed to be her friend. Her husband does an amazing and touching telling of their love story. Enjoy the read! -Betty Hall I can think of no better way to honor my sister's life than with Jan's Journey. Even though I already knew most of her story, I was held captive from beginning to end. Through my tears and laughter, the heartwarming memories reminded me of her love for teaching and the outdoors, as well as her captivating way of motivating others whose life path she crossed. I became a teacher just like ""my big sis"" because I had learned from the best. I can only hope that I did her proud. Bill, I will always be grateful for your tender loving care for Jan, and for this incredible lasting legacy-Jan's Journey. -Debbie LeButt Williams, Jan's sister Jan's Journey is a love story filled with intimate details about Jan, an extraordinary teacher, wife, and mother. Grounded in the context of 20th century current events, the story reveals a woman whose love of life helps her transcend the challenges she faces and live life fully. Her journey and her life are fascinating and inspiring. -Ellen DeRosia, retired early childhood educator The publisher of this volume correctly describes it as being biographical in nature. But the work is also a 482-page tribute to the author's wife whose life was cut short by multiple sclerosis. The story of this woman is narrated by her husband through chronologically-arranged anecdotes that variously bring forth a smile to one's lips or a lump to one's throat, and always a desire to see what's on the next page. The result is one of the best books I have ever read. I will be very surprised if this paperback is not used in many creative writing classes as an example for others to follow. This guy can really write! -Le Roy Barnett, Michigan historian As Jan's team member at Averill for almost ten years, I think of Jan as a potter molding clay, not only literally, but also molding the lives of the children and their families in the classroom and the community. She shaped the lives of her pupils by instilling in them curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Her high expectations, encouragement, and strong desire for every student to succeed made her a master teacher of hands-on experiences and curriculum development which I truly admired and valued. -Renee Leonard, Averill School teacher and friend"

Author Information

A Lansing kid who graduated from Everett High School and Michigan State University, Bill Blanchard went on to the prestigious Cinema Studies program at the University of Southern California in 1967, the same year another now famous applicant was rejected-Steven Spielberg. After working on feature films in California and Alaska, Bill returned to Michigan, where he taught film production at Lansing Community College for over thirty years. Now retired, Bill lives with his wife Millie in Lansing, where they tutor first-graders in reading at their neighborhood elementary school.

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