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MESSAGE BOARD Archive May-December 2005

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December 16, 2005 We continue to see spam messages to this message board. I apologize for the distraction. We do still appreciate personal notes from people who visit this Web site! Several times a week, I go into the files and delete the spam. Please bear with us and keep on posting!--Mary


Tuesday, December 27, 2005 -- 10:05:41 (EST)
Name: Jacqui Shambaugh --
Location: Oakton, VA
  • I think of you often, and especially in the past couple months since my father's death from colon cancer, as I continue to marvel at your ability to deal with the unthinkable with grace and amazing courage.

    Emily Bezar gave me a call from out of the blue on Christmas. She was in town because of her parents' recent move to the DC area. She arranged a get together last night where I finally got to meet her son Noah, and Lisa Pierce (spoiler alert - she's just engaged!) and Rebecca Edminster (baby en route) also came. We all clicked immediately back into Oberlin girlfriends, as if it had been days instead of years since we'd last seen each other, and we discovered a very strange 6-degrees thing going on among our friends and family members. What a blast!

    I hope to be able to call you 'out of the blue' before too long. In the meantime, our love to all of you and best in '06.

    Jacqui

  • Sunday, December 18, 2005 -- 16:53:23 (EST)
    Name: Heinz Frankenberger --
    Location: , Germany
  • Dear Mary,
    I have lost your new adress..............

    Therefore I must send our Christmas wishes this way.

    Liebe Mary und Familie!

    Wir wünschen Euch von Herzen ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und ein gutes Jahr 2006. Ein ausführlicher Brief folgt demnächst - per E-Mail oder per Briefpost - wenn wir eine Adresse haben.
    Wir werden am Heiligen Abend um 22.00 Uhr wieder in der Petrus-Kirche die Christmette singen und singen für Euch mit und schließen Euch in unser Gebet ein!
    Alles Liebe!
    Heidi und Heinz

  • Saturday, December 10, 2005 -- 19:46:01 (EST)
    Name: Rachael Coleman --
    Location: Mayfield,
  • It's been a while since I've been able to check in here. It's wonderful to find not one, but two new entries. I love your writing. Reading along from here helps me feel connected to Salt Lake and my much missed UU community there.

    This evening Maggie is off at her first-ever school dance. She looked so beautiful and grown up when I dropped her off to meet up with her friends.

    May the holiday season bless you with love and smiles,
    Rachael

  • Thursday, December 08, 2005 -- 18:35:06 (EST)
    Name: Nathaniel
    Location: , MD USA
  • Thank you so much for signing Emily's page! Simons is GREAT! I really like the look of it as well. We enjoyed meeting with you at Primary Children's as well. Although we are dealing with a terminal illness for which there is not even a treatment, the Dr's were pleased with her progress. I think I expressed some of those feelings on our "updates page." Well thank you again. Glad to hear your daughter's wrist is healing well! :)

    Blessings,
    The Lees

  • Monday, December 05, 2005 -- 13:47:25 (EST)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Friends,

    I was on the Message Board today, deleting more of that awful spam. Well, it's easy to tell when there's a real message from a real person.

    A few quick responses. First, to Kim, who wrote in November after meeting me at the library. It's true! This very friendly person approached my at the DVD shelf in our local library branch and told me she was sure she had seen me before. She mentioned several dates from last June, and all of them rang true--hiking around a lake in the mountains, at an outdoor concert in the city, and on member night at the zoo. As we talked, I remembered seeing Kim, with a babe strapped in a front pack, negotiating the still-snowy mountain paths on a June afternoon. I also remembered our two daughters dancing at the Nanci Griffith concert. As for the zoo "sighting", Kim remembers me walking quickly to the exit, and I've reconstructed that it was an evening when I went to a reading during the Writers at Work conference, and I had just said good-bye to Miriam and Markus at the hula contest.

    I admire Kim for her observational skills and also for having the nerve to decide to speak to me when she saw me again, half a year later, determined to make the acquaintance. Kim, I'm glad to have you in the circle of folks who take an interest in reading about Simon's life and learning from his story.

    Amber, I agree with you about the film "In America". Markus and I watched it last year at some point. I'm quite sure it was after Simon had died. We were not prepared for that part of the story and found it touching, sad, true. And, yes, I think it takes bravery.

    Last night, we watched another thought-provoking film called "21 Grams". It came out in 2003 and stars Sean Penn. It's a tricky interweaving of time frames around a plot that looks at three main characters going through the same story. Each has terrible losses and needs--a damaged heart, a terrible car accident, a life of crime. All are searching for redemption. I found this film realistic in its depiction of (parental) grief, and I cared a lot about the characters, flawed as they all were.

    Anne, it's good to hear from you! Really good. Writing continues to be a good channel. And I've just added voice to the subjects I am teaching! At present, I have four private students.

    It really helps to know that everyone is out there, sending strength to help us keep moving.

    With love,

    Mary

  • Sunday, December 04, 2005 -- 18:44:57 (EST)
    Name: Anne Adams --
    Location: Belmont, MA USA
  • OUCH, Miriam--I hope you feel better soon. We all send our love. Johannes is starting to pick up some English, Tom is working like crazy, and Anne is, well, here I am. Writing sounds GOOD, as does teaching, Mary, and I hope Markus isn't working toooo hard. We all miss you guys, and hope to see you soon.

    lots of love!!
    xoxo
    anne

  • Wednesday, November 30, 2005 -- 12:40:24 (EST)
    Name: Amber Dimkoff --
    Location: Atlanta, GA USA
  • Hi Mary and Markus,

    A few weeks ago I saw the movie "In America." It came out a couple of years ago and is an absolutely incredible film about an Irish family that immigrates to the US. I highly recommend it...for a day when you feel very brave. I wept afterwards (the family loses their young son to cancer before the film begins) so it is a movie for only the very brave to view. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you!

    love,
    Amber

  • Monday, November 21, 2005 -- 00:58:51 (EST)
    Name: Kimmie Utley --
    Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
  • Hi Mary, I have just spent the last two hours reading about your sweet Simon. I am so touched by your candidness and willingness to let someone like me, a practical stranger, in your world. Thank you for this web site. You have put so much behind its existance. My heart breaks as I read what yout family endured since '01.Ibelieve many people (including myself) wouldnt even have a clue as to what it takes to survive each day. Your web site will raise questions in my mind about how I go through my days. Thank you for this new awareness. I now have an idea why I was "supposed" to meet you. It is no accident that I ran into you at Silver Lake, the Nanci Griffith concert, and the zoo all in the same week. Life has an amazing way of working, doesnt it??

    Namaste,

    Kim Utley

  • Monday, November 14, 2005 -- 20:12:43 (EST)
    Name: Dotty Seiter --
    Location: Hamilton, MA USA
  • I love the Homage to Autumn -- I am without words at the loss of that vibrant little boy.

    With a hug,
    Dotty

  • Wednesday, November 02, 2005 -- 12:10:17 (EST)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Heinz and Heidi,

    It is good to know that our dear friends from Old Germany are thinking of us!

    --Mary

  • Sunday, October 30, 2005 -- 17:16:51 (EST)
    Name: Dachkater --
    Location: Oelbronn-Doerrn, Germany
  • Dear Mary!
    I thought that I schould send another message to you. Sometimes we ask one another: What's about Mary and her family?
    Perhaps you can give us a personal signe of life?
    I think we'ld be glad of it.
    We are working still now, sometimes singing, but mostly working a school.
    It was this evening that I thougt: What's about Mary?

    Have a nice time!

    Heinz (the cat on the roof - you remember?)

  • Saturday, October 22, 2005 -- 01:13:52 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dotty,

    Thanks for asking. I've done two drafts now of an 18-page essay about Simon's surgery. I've had a week away from the library because school was off, and I haven't been going downtown.

    I think I know where I'm headed to start draft three. It is an interesting process to take on the material and see where it wants to go.

    I'll keep you posted!--Mary

  • Thursday, October 20, 2005 -- 10:23:07 (EDT)
    Name: Dotty Seiter --
    Location: Hamilton, MA USA
  • Mary,

    Have you continued to go to the beautiful downtown public library on Thursdays to meet up with your writer friends to sit side by side WRITING?

    Thank you, again, for continuing to make WHAT'S HAPPENING entries.

    With a big hug,
    Dotty

  • Tuesday, October 04, 2005 -- 11:40:07 (EDT)
    Name: Blan --
  • Great poster! Good luck on Thursday, love Blan

  • Saturday, October 01, 2005 -- 19:23:11 (EDT)
    Name: Dotty Seiter --
    Location: Hamilton, MA USA
  • Mary,

    Wish I could be at Thursday's concert. WONDERFUL poster!

    xo
    Dotty

  • Saturday, October 01, 2005 -- 15:32:20 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Annette,

    I went on line to check out the article about the boy in Hell's Kitchen fighting neuroblastoma. (I searched on neuroblastoma on the New York Times site, and it came right up.) It's great that he has so much support, especially since the family's living conditions make it difficult to keep a safe environment for an immunosuppressed child.

    Thanks for the tip!--Mary

  • Saturday, September 24, 2005 -- 23:45:57 (EDT)
    Name: annette
  • Mary,

    Just want you to know we check in often to see how things are going so don't think because you don't get posted messages that there aren't many of us out here waiting to hear more. Don't know if you saw the article in the New York Times about 1 1/2 weeks ago about a family and their child who is fighting Neroblastoma. The jist of the story was about how their community was supporting them during this stuggle. Couldn't help but think of you and what an amazing community of support you all created...which I know helped and supported you but also did the same for all those who participated.

    Love ya,

    Annette

  • Friday, September 23, 2005 -- 14:35:21 (EDT)
    Name: Katrina Zook --
    Location: Laramie, WY
  • Hello Mary, Markus, and Miriam,
    I want to echo what your friend Rachael wrote about finding comfort and calm when visiting this site. I know your lives have been anything but calm this past year, but what you share about your journey, allows us all to put everyday events into perspective. I do think of you all often and hope you will enjoy the change of season. Love, Katrina

  • Thursday, September 15, 2005 -- 14:22:26 (EDT)
    Name: Donna Ainsworth
    Location: Ann Arbor,
  • Hello Mary, Markus and Miriam,

    A note to say I was here and am keeping you all in my heart.

  • Friday, September 09, 2005 -- 21:32:33 (EDT)
    Name: Jenny Heitler-Klevans --
    Location: Cheltenham, Pennsylvania
  • Dear Mary,
    I remember Ari and Jason's first day of kindergarten - an exciting time. They have now started 5th grade. Thanks again for having us do the tribute concert for Simon at the Hogle Zoo. It was a great experience. We put up a "blog" about our trip at our website. www.twoofakind.com

    Jenny and David, Two of a Kind

  • Saturday, September 03, 2005 -- 15:47:35 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman --
    Location: Mayfield, NY
  • Mary,

    I'm so glad to see your update today. I stopped in because this site is somewhere I find comfort and calm. These are crazy times in our world at large and in my life as well. Thank you for this sacred place that offers me respite.

    Big congrats to Miriam on starting school! My kids start here on Wednesday. I'm heartbroken that Maggie's not going to City Academy the First Amendment Charter School. Mayfield is supposed to be a good school, but it doesn't stand out as such an exceptional opportunity.

    Family can't be replaced though. We're thankful to have a chance for the kids to know all their grandparents, see their dad, and be here when Aunt Emily welcomes her new babe into our world and family.

    Much love to you and yours from me and mine!
    Rachael

  • Wednesday, August 31, 2005 -- 18:07:54 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Sorry about the clutter from those annoying spam messages. I have made some filename changes today to see if I can outwit the spammers. This message is a test to see if the Message Board is still working.

    --Mary

    P.S. In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, we keep getting messages saying things like "love your site, blah, blah blah" and an attempt to post a commercial URL of some sort. I delete them whenever I see them, so you may not have seen one.

  • Wednesday, August 31, 2005 -- 00:49:39 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Sid,

    I hope you're still checking here, because I don't have a return email. Do let us know when you are relocating our way. We still have the drum you gave the kids in our playroom, alongside the many toys that bring back memories of Simon and keep going in the play of Miriam and her friends.

    We hope you are doing well,

    Mary

  • Tuesday, August 30, 2005 -- 13:19:14 (EDT)
    Name: sid
    Location: ann arbor, mi
  • Hi Miriam, Mary and Markus,
    I was at that 5th floor of the u-M hospital, when I remembered Simon again this weekend. I see him up there, playing his drums and having a jolly good time. My best wishes to you all. Hope to see you all soon - I am leaving A2 and moving to the SLC area as soon as the neurosurgeons give me the all clear signal.

  • Sunday, August 28, 2005 -- 06:22:33 (EDT)
    Name: Dotty Seiter --
    Location: Hamilton, mA USA
  • Mary, so glad to hear your voice. Your brief message was all I needed! I'm off to camp where I will use ideas from your writing class in my Seventh Annual "In the Company of Women" group activity -- appropriating text to make handmade books with a one or two sentence story inside.

    With love,
    Dotty

  • Friday, August 26, 2005 -- 01:37:44 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Friends,

    Sorry for the long silence on our end. It has been an eventful month! I have just deleted about 6 spam messages to this message board. Does anyone know how to prevent those from showing up?

    Keep and eye on the WHAT'S HAPPENING page. An overdue update will be appearing soonish.

    Love,

    Mary

    P.S. I really need this Web site and the messages you all post here. Please don't take silence as a lack of appreciation for your thoughts, time, and caring. Life just sometimes gets that way. If there's one thing I've learned from life with a child who has cancer (and there are so many lessons), it is the necessity of one-way correspondence at times. When I am tempted to feel guilty, I remember all the caring I feel from my communities, and I find a way to relax and know that you are simply there because you are there and not because you expect a prompt response!

  • Tuesday, August 16, 2005 -- 08:56:52 (EDT)
    Name: Paulina --
    Location: Mount Gambier, SOuth Australia Australia
  • DEar Mary and family. Im sorry I missed Simon's first eternal birthday but I never forgot Simon. He was an amazing little boy. I am angel Biancas Aunty Pauly. I trust that you are coping with the anniversary and that you are all well. May god be with you all and keep you from harm and I knwo your darling boy Simon is watching over you and is so proud of you.

    WIth much love and warmest wishes from
    Pauly
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  • Saturday, August 06, 2005 -- 19:25:52 (EDT)
    Name: amy sheon --
    Location: ann arbor, mi
  • Dear Mary, Markus and Miriam,

    The most remarkable thing happened today. We got a call from summer camp where my sons are nearing the end of a two week stay. "Everything's ok; your son Jesse wants to send you a fax." How strange, I thought. We signed up for faxing service whereby parents and children can fax daily; the kids turn in their faxes to their counselors and the faxes get sent over the next day or so. Why the phone call? Since it's Saturday and the fax was going into my office, and the boys return tomorrow, I figured I'd better see the fax today so we stopped by the office en route to the Riverfolk festival in Manchester. The fax reads,

    "Dear Mom and Dad

    I miss you.
    There was a Frog in a water fountain!

    Love, Jesse"

    Well, of course I knew he was telling me he had a visit from Simon because we released our tadpole-turned-to-frogs last year in our own little memorial to Simon. We have since remembered Simon everytime we see frogs.

    So we get to the festival and the first person I see walking around is Laz from Gemini. Then I remember that Simon died just before we went to the festival last year, and that I saw Gemini last year who gave their reminisces of Simon during the concert.

    Of course, I came home to check the date of Simon's death and see that it's today. I looked twice at the fax to confirm the date stamped by the fax machine--August 6. Simon clearly is still amongst us. Can't wait to debrief Jesse tomorrow--there isn't a chance he would have recalled that today was the anniversary of Simon's death...

    May your days continue to be filled with wonder at the workings of the universe.

    Fondly,
    Amy

  • Saturday, August 06, 2005 -- 13:26:25 (EDT)
    Name: Kathryn Bartholomew --
    Location: Orem, Utah USA
  • I've been sitting and looking at the filtered sunlight through the leaves of the huge English walnut trees in the front yard and thinking about Simon. It's beautiful. My thoughts and love are with you, Mary, Markus and Miriam. This sunshine is for you, Simon.

    Love,
    Kate

  • Saturday, August 06, 2005 -- 07:28:05 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman --
    Location: Mayfield, NY
  • Mary, Markus and Miriam,
    All our thoughts are with you today. We will light candles in Simon's memory. Even though we knew him but briefly, he touched our lives deeply.
    Rachael, Maggie and August

  • Saturday, August 06, 2005 -- 06:13:37 (EDT)
    Name: Blan --
  • Dear Mary, Markus & Miriam, best wishes for today! I'll be thinking of you, love Blan

  • Friday, August 05, 2005 -- 17:19:46 (EDT)
    Name: Jamie Hine --
    Location: Washignton, D.C. USA
  • Mary, Markus and Miriam: Carla and I are thinking of you all. Simon has a special place in both of our hearts. Know that tomorrow so many people who have been touched by your family will be reminded of Simon. Vivdly in my mind, I see him and Miriam in their new rain slickers (no rain, of course : ) riding bikes through family housing. We will light a colorful candle for everyone! Love, Jamie and Carla

  • Friday, August 05, 2005 -- 16:58:07 (EDT)
    Name: Cristina --
    Location: Chicago,
  • Dear Mary, Thank you so much for continuing to post. I loved your description of the writing workshop and of course all the other entries. I am thinking about you and Simon very often and more so tomorrow. Big hugs, Cristina (former WDI)

  • Friday, August 05, 2005 -- 09:07:42 (EDT)
    Name: Gari Stein
  • Dear Miriam, I hope you got used to going to camp. My grandaughter, who is 4 1/2 also went to the JCC in Michigan and did not know 1 person...she had a hard time the first few days, but now just loves it...I hope you did too. I wish I could go to camp again every Summer....to Mary and Markus, as August 6 approaches, my thoughts, which turn to you and Simon everyday, are turning even stronger now..I remember last year on the 5th, before I had learned of his death, I returned to Ann Arbor from my daughter's and outside the c-op I noticed an unusual calm and stillness for a usually busy Friday afternoon...I always felt Ann Arbor was taking a break from it's frantic pace to make a quiet space for Simon's passing..My love to you all today, tomorrow and always. Much love and peace to you, Gari

  • Friday, August 05, 2005 -- 00:22:34 (EDT)
    Name: katharine duderstadt --
    Location: san antonio, tx
  • Hello to Mary, Markus, and Miriam,
    It is so wonderful and inspiring to visit Simon's website and read the writings of Mary and all of the visitors.

    I am glad that you have embraced and continued with yoga. Actually, yoga was one of the reasons that Nathan and I decided to get married. Neither of us were very good at it but it seemed to give us such a calming space of mind. We both yearn to go back those early days.

    We think of Simon often. There are many dragonflies in Texas these days...on the local lakes....We hope to see many more when we move to Boston in a couple of weeks. We are moving to Natick right next to a pond. [We will be in Ann Arbor from this Sunday for about ten days before moving] Nathan accepted a job as a professor at Boston University. We are all thrilled.

    We will light a candle for Simon on August sixth...our last day in San Antonio.

    Jane turns three on August seventh. She will be having a dinosaur cake.

    Marina is a gem. I can't believe how beautiful and caring she had become.

    Much love.

    We hope to see you.

    Kathy, Nathan, Marina and Jane.


  • Thursday, August 04, 2005 -- 01:49:47 (EDT)
    Name: jen --
    Location: ann arbor, mi usa
  • i was a doctor that met you and your family during a radiology study, i am so sorry to hear about you loss.... please realize that those doctors "behind the scenes" that you meet for only a moment remember you and do care about you.... hope you have peace and that miriam continues to flourish. ....with love

  • Monday, August 01, 2005 -- 09:06:25 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman --
    Location: Mayfield, NY
  • Have a great time tonight at the concert at Hogle Zoo. Wish we were there to share the music and celebration. I'm so thankful to know you and your family, Mary. It's been a great blessing in my life. I'm thinking of you a lot this week as the one year anniversary of Simon's death nears. The other day I saw a most brilliant rainbow and gave me a moment to reflect on all that is sacred. Blessings to you and yours from me and mine! Rachael

  • Saturday, July 23, 2005 -- 09:55:21 (EDT)
    Name: Gretchen Lonero --
    Location: N. Huntingdon, PA USA
  • Mary, I as so glad that I got to meet you at the conference. I so enjoyed watching the videos of Simon. They touched my heart. Looking forward to seeing you again next year!

  • Sunday, July 17, 2005 -- 16:38:41 (EDT)
    Name: Katarra Ewing --
  • Mary, so glad i had the pleasure of metting you at the 2005 Neuroblastoma Conference. I must admit i was sad that i forgot to get your contact info, but I did some searching and found it! You are a wonderful, very strong person, I'm sure Simon is very proud of you. I have book marked your page and hope to see you again. God Bless, Katarra Ewing

  • Tuesday, July 12, 2005 -- 22:25:50 (EDT)
    Name: amy --
    Location: Ann Arbor,
  • Thanks for the beautiful remembrance of the Celebration of Simon's life. What a joy to know that you are continuing your writing, and, really, continuing to know Simon, and letting your readers know him through your words. Best--

    Amy

  • Monday, July 11, 2005 -- 01:50:40 (EDT)
    Name: Jen --
    Location: Long Beach, CA US
  • Paging through the sites belonging to Alex, your song, and other children with Neuroblasmtoma has renewed my desire to find better treatments. I know now that this disease is what I was meant to work on. I love medicine, but I love these kids more. I hate seeing them suffer, and I certainly don't want their loss to be in vain. I see the love of life in their eyes, and feel their love for others in their hearts. They are angels sent by God to show us the way to a cure, and I hope it comes soon. I don't want kids like Simon to be let down by the medical community anymore. They may have treated him with the best they had to offer, but the best is still not good enough. With love and hope from California
    thank you for sharing your angel with the world

  • Friday, July 08, 2005 -- 16:53:50 (EDT)
    Name: Annette
  • Mary,

    Just flew in from Cleveland our stop over on the way back from Crystal. Rowan went east to camp Yampa Yamma and we came back west for a week in the Sierra's. We thought of you a lot in Northern Michigan. We went on the 4th of July down to the Frankfort beach and enjoyed the swings and the big beach near where you all stayed. We also watched the fireworks from there and remembered our time with Simon. Did some great climbing at Sleeping Bear too. His presence was all around, playing with the kayaks and jumping off the dock. It is a magical place!! Heard you had a nice visit in Oberlin and are going to NJ for a family get together this year??
    Thinking good thoughts for Miriam and camp!!

    Love and miss you, Us williamses

  • Wednesday, July 06, 2005 -- 11:53:02 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Rachael,

    I'll respond to you here, since it sounds as though you have a slightly easier time going on the net than getting to email. Wow, that was a fast relocation, but I expect all your pre-thought into the situation has made you pretty well prepared to make the shift.

    I hope it turns into a great new chapter in the journey for your whole family. I'm very glad your last chapter placed you in Salt Lake City so that we could meet.

    Say hi to your kids for us.

    Love, Mary

  • Wednesday, June 29, 2005 -- 08:04:15 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman --
    Location: Mayfield, NY
  • Mary,
    My decision was made for me. I'm back in New York caring for my nephew and making plans to eventually bring my mom home. She had an unexpected stroke last week so I went from a Utahn on Tuesday to a New Yorker on Thursday. Quite the whirlwind. On my first drive to the hospital I passed a roadside billboard for Alex's Lemonade Stand. Felt like a piece of SLC-home to me as I was quickly transitioning to my upstate-home. I'm disappointed my daughter won't go to City Academy, but not really. The good news is the local school was just rated #5 in the state. My kids will fly here tomorrow & soon my childhood home will again be filled with the joy & laughter of children of all ages. I have limited access to email, but managed to get Simon's site to come up. Just wanted to stop through & say thanks again for your wisdom & kindnesses.

    Blessings to you & yours from me & mine,
    Rachael

  • Tuesday, June 28, 2005 -- 20:04:31 (EDT)
    Name: Sarah Williams --
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
  • Mary,
    I'm so happy you are begining to write your story! I know things like that take a lot of time and can be very tough, but it is my opinion that it is one way to turn tragedy and pain into something beautiful and encouraging for others going through the same thing (your family is already good at that). Keep going! I can't wait to see what you create!
    Love, Sarah

  • Saturday, June 18, 2005 -- 22:43:49 (EDT)
    Name: Liza,Mike, Jolan & Jenna
  • Hi,
    Was thinking of you all on your trip to Ann Arbor, and wishing we could be there with you. I look forward to reading more about how your visit went. Everyone in my family is tucked in bed, but I wanted to check Simon's Place before bed...know that you're in my heart and prayers tonight!
    xo Liza

  • Wednesday, June 15, 2005 -- 21:01:37 (EDT)
    Name: annette
  • Mary,

    Was hoping to hear about how the memorial in Ann Arbor went. Hope it was nice to be back with your friends there in Michigan. We think of you often. The photo of Miriam and Rowan when we were leaving this winter is my all time favorite photo this year. There is so much joy in their hug. Love, Annette

  • Tuesday, May 31, 2005 -- 13:22:48 (EDT)
    Name: Connie Lippert --
    Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
  • Hi Mary,
    It's been awhile since I checked out Simon's place, but did today and lo and behold was pleased to find the videos! They came across loud and clear for me and my dsl connection. Much love to you and Miriam and Markus and Happy Birthday to Simon our angel spirit. See you soon hopefully at the UU Ann Arbor potluck.
    Connie Lippert

  • Tuesday, May 31, 2005 -- 07:05:24 (EDT)
    Name: Jean Watson --
    Location: Dover, OH USA
  • I hear that you were all in Oberlin over the weekend! My mother reports that Miriam is getting big and looking more and more like Simon, and she also couldn't say enough about how beautifully you (Mary) sang. I wish I could have seen all of you - it's been way too long.

    Love to you all.
    Jean

  • Saturday, May 21, 2005 -- 00:41:41 (EDT)
    Name: Donna & Rick Gross --
    Location: Midland, Michigan USA
  • To Miriam.........

    How beautiful you are!!!! We saw your photo with Doug and cannot believe how lovely and mature you are. You probably do not remember us. But, maybe you remember Andre and coming to Midland, Michigan, for Lindsay's wedding. You were 3 or 4 then, and a very little girl. Now, we can see you are becoming a young lady. And quite a beautiful one!!!

    Now, Hi Mary and Markus,

    We think of you often and celebrate your family as a remarkable force: Mary, Markus, and Miriam combined as a planet with Simon the moon revolving yet apart. As parents we also celebrate his birth with you and know the moment and the memory, but can only guess at the confusion of loss. He was such a wonder.

    We have also wondered if you got the painting from your friend. She is so talented, and seemed to be able to capture Simon's ability to be in the now while at the same time emitting sparks from a magical world that he saw in his soul.

    Wishing you well and hoping you have a very nice summer break,
    Rick and Donna Gross

  • Wednesday, May 18, 2005 -- 18:40:24 (EDT)
    Name: Sally Olson
    Location: Seattle, WA
  • Thought of you all day yesterday, celebrated Simon's birth and life in my heart.
    Sally

  • Tuesday, May 17, 2005 -- 23:00:54 (EDT)
    Name: Kris Hopkins --
    Location: Clinton, NY
  • Like Annette, I felt some sort of a connection with today, but couldn't quite place it at first. Then, for reasons I can't explain, I decided I needed to check Simon's site to see what was up -- and here I find it's his birthday! (I think perhaps Angel Simon was tugging at a few of us today, making sure we'd recall his special day.... ;-)

    I hope the lemonade stand was a terrific success, in terms of the fundraising, and that it felt to you like a joyful celebration of Simon's life and spirit.

    Warmest wishes,
    Kris

  • Tuesday, May 17, 2005 -- 22:28:43 (EDT)
    Name: Annette
  • Today at work I looked at the date and I knew it was an important date, an important birthday. I hadn't yet culled out of my brain that it was Simon's birthday. But for some reason I decided to check the web site and ah haw it all came together. I knew it was very important and by golly it is!!!!
    Hope you've had a nice day. What a great idea to commemorate with a Lemonade stand. We think of you all with lots of love, A, S and R

  • Tuesday, May 17, 2005 -- 15:35:07 (EDT)
    Name: Amber Dimkoff --
    Location: Morrow, GA USA
  • p.s. I just watched your presentation about caring for Simon. I can't get the goosebumps to go away thinking about the help you (Mary and Markus) will be for the rest of your lives to parents and doctors of children with cancer. How we use our gifts speaks more about us than what sort of gifts we receive. Good job with the presentation!

  • Tuesday, May 17, 2005 -- 15:09:35 (EDT)
    Name: Amber Dimkoff --
    Location: Morrow, Georgia USA
  • Happy birthday, Simon! I'm thinking of you today and hope that you're having some fun for me and your family, too.

    Mary, I won't be able to go to Michigan in June and am so sorry to miss you. You are so often in my heart and mind!

    Love,
    Amber

  • Monday, May 16, 2005 -- 16:13:03 (EDT)
    Name: kathy duderstadt --
    Location: san antonio, tx
  • What a lovely way to commemorate Simon's birthday with an Alex's Lemonade Stand.
    We will be thinking of you all and raise a glass of lemonade in wonderful memories of Simon and his incredible birthday parties (the fish and butterfly cake, the huge backyard kiddie pool, and lots of fun at Northwood).

    Love, Kathy, Nathan, Marina, and Janie

    p.s. Happy birthday to friend Lev as well.

  • Sunday, May 08, 2005 -- 12:07:41 (EDT)
    Name: Dotty Seiter --
    Location: S. Hamilton, MA USA
  • Mary, thinking of you on Mother's Day. Love, Dotty

  • Friday, May 06, 2005 -- 15:07:20 (EDT)
    Name: Deborah Gurt --
    Location: Northfield, MN
  • Dear Mary, Markus, and Miriam-
    I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am planning to be in Ann Arbor with Gabriel June 3-6. I hope we'll have a chance to spend some time together.
    We think of you often and send our warmest wishes,
    Deborah, Marek, Lev, Jacob, and Gabriel

  • Wednesday, May 04, 2005 -- 08:46:39 (EDT)
    Name: amy --
    Location: ann arbor, mi
  • Mary: The powerpoint presentation and draft paper on the care issues you faced are a gift you've given to patients, families, providers and administrators. Although I don't fit into any of those categories, I can well imagine that your careful and loving documentation will have a significant impact for many. What a tribute to Simon!

  • Monday, May 02, 2005 -- 13:30:20 (EDT)
    Name: Kay Beaton --
    Location: Park City, UT
  • Mary,

    I visited the website today and just continue to be amazed at how great you are at sharing your experience with all of us. The additional videos and quotes with Simon's words are wonderful to watch. You and Simon are still inspiring me! Thank you!
    - Kay
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