wie schoen von dir zu hoeren! Und dass du in Hohenheim nach Simons Baum suchst finde ich sehr ruehrend. Ich bin selber seit Jahren nicht mehr dorthin gekommen und weiss, der Baum hat einen Schaden mal gelitten. Du gibst mir aber einen Anstoss, mir den Ort wieder mal genau von Simons Grosseltern zeigen zu lassen. Dann kann ich berichten. Ich habe in Erinnerung, ein Labyrinth aus Rosmarin war in der Naehe.

Ganz liebe Gruesse
Mary

Du wirst bestimmt ueberrascht sein, dass ich Dir schreibe!
Gestern spazierte ich mit Annette Siegl (frueher ISD) durch den Hohenheimer Park, und ich erzahhlte ihr, dass es einen Baum gibt, der Deinem Sohn Simon gewidmet ist. Den Baum versuche ich immer noch wiederzufinden, was mir bisher nicht gelungen ist. (Vor Jahren hatte ich ihn mal gefunden). Ja, und dann habe ich nach Dir im Internet "geforscht" und schliesslich ueber LinkedIn gesehen, dass Ihr wieder in Deutschland seid.
Du hast einen wunderschoenen Blog, dem ich heute ein wenig gefolgt bin. Es hat mich sehr beruehrt, dass vor einigen Tagen bereits des 10. Todestages von Simon gedacht wurde.
Da ich oft im Hohenheimer Park bin (ich wohne ganz in der Naehe), denke ich auch immer an Simon's Baum, wenn ich dort laufe, wo ich ihn vermute.
Mit diesen Zeilen wollte ich Dir einfach mitteilen, dass auch von unerwarteter Seite an Euch gedacht wird.
Ich hoffe sehr, dass es Euch allen gut geht.

Sei sehr herzlich gegruesst
von Sibylle

It's has been so long I don't know if you will get this message; but this is Ellen Williams, Simon's close friend in 1st grade. I just found this website and it brought back so many memories of this amazing kid. He has such a special place in my heart, your whole family were always so good to me. Simon's grave is in the cemetery right next to my school, I visit him as often as I can and make sure it's being taken care of.

I'm really glad I got the opportunity to tell you all this even after 10 years. I hope you are all doing well.

-Ellen

I read your "Five Years" posting from June 2 and found myself once again with tears in my eyes, sighing. I wonder, is Simon's death any less shocking today than it was five years ago? Only you know the answer to that question. I suppose it's a life-long quest, the task of trying to understand the meaning of his illness and passing. Your comment about things just not feeling "right" without Simon made so much sense. Yes, of course that's how it would be. So simple, so true.

What is Miriam up to these days? How is she spending her summer?

Blessings to you all,
Lauren Rowe

Hamilton, MA

P.S. So glad I got to meet you at Starbucks when you were visiting Dotty.

I hope that this email address is still live and that my message reaches you. It has been 5 years now since our boys were in first grade. Nick Pearson has just finished his first term of middle school. Still, Simon is always in our thoughts and our lives - a little boy who touched us all in such a profound way. I cannot look back on the website without such strong memories of the year that we shared and the many small and large experiences of our boys.

Nick has long since moved on from Yu-gi-oh cards. He now collects NBA basketball cards and has the same larger-than-life view of Kevin Love and Chris Paul that he once had for Blue Eyes White Dragon. He still has a remarkable love for his 6th grade teachers, just like he had for Mrs. Eaton. Each year we do something - a lemonade stand, a special prayer, a quiet loving remembrance - to carry our Simon forward with us. I remind Nick and Zack of the pack of Yu-go-oh cards that Simon chose not to open even when he knew that the end was near. We talk together about the amazing experience, what even the boys can now recognize as the chance to learn so much from the wisdom and resilience of an amazing little guy.

As a mom, I fear that as time passes you see his legacy as something that touches only your family. Please know that our lives are more full and more relevant because of a little angel named Simon who will always, for us, be a little boy.

All our love,
Kim, Nick and Zack

I just stopped by Simon's Place and read your recent postings about the pumpkins--and came across the question of "keeping the flow of time straight." Time is kind of an obsession of mine--at least in terms of how we experience it. It seems that the question of "keeping time straight" would be like asking how to keep water straight. At room temperature--at the temperature of life, that is--it flows. Straight doesn't seem to work for water much better than time. They both find their own course. Water can be straight only in the absence of sufficient warmth--when frozen--or when constrained--held artificially by a container. When frozen, the moment you touch it, it starts to flow again. When contained, you can't touch it, but can only see the shape of the container. Seems like that might be true of time as well. Any time I've tried to put down in writing some sort of recollection, the linearity of language feels at odds with time until finally I let go, and let the language of writing take the shape of the time's flow. Capturing and preserving became less meaningful to me than letting the memory flow through me during the process of writing it down. Whatever we end up with is one possible telling--but as I tell my history classes here sometimes--history is not to be confused with what happened. It is, rather, the story of what happened. In some odd way, this seems like a reason to go on telling the stories that are significant to us. The events don't need us at all. They took place, and that's it. The story is a different matter, as it is wholly dependent on the shape we give it.

Anyway--that's sort of where I've gotten with it.

stan

[Note from Mary: Stan's message came to me via email, with a postscript (below). I received his permission to share his insights on the Message Board. I did not get his permission to do his Captain Underpants name conversion, but here it is anyway: Snotty Liverbutt! "p.s. I was going to post to your message board, but from what I can tell, I consistently get a 'tone' that people don't like....and I don't want to ruin your vibe." Wouldn't you agree that's Stan's willingness to engage philosophically is anything but ruinous to the vibe on Simon's Place?]

I'm testing out the re-enabled Message Board form. I hope somebody out there will give it a try, too. Wouldn't it be funny to see a bunch of silly names here, a little tribute to Simon's spirited sense of humor.

--Pinky Gigglepants : ~ ]

Yes, I remember you! And I remember the amazing box of gifts you brought to us from all the Timbuktu stores in the spring of 2002, just when Simon's initial treatment was failing and we were in such need of comfort. You were the one who got us started on all the cool bandaids.

But even more startling is this. On the Saturday that you sat down and wrote to the Message Board, I had decided to go shopping for new pants. I pondered where to go and wished I could find a Timbuktu Station, and I thought about you and all the fun times I had shopping at your store. I headed off to Chico's, which is not Timbuktu but sometimes has interesting things. I ended up walking out of the store empty-handed. When I got home, I checked my email. There was your message. I think I must have been thinking about you around the same time you were writing to me. Pretty amazing, considering that it's been several years since we last saw each other.

I hope all are doing well in your family and that you like it in Florida.

--Mary

I wanted to let you know that I think of you often and I am praying for you and your family. I'm not sure if you remember me, but I used to run Timbuktu in Ann Arbor. Our store is now gone and I am living west of Orlando, FL, but I have carried the website with me to see how you are doing. I read once that God holds all the children that have gone before us close to him so that all they feel is pure love and joy. I hope you find that a comforting thought. Our prayers are with you today.

Sincerely,
Linda Kraljevich

Jonah, Savannah, and I have reveled all day in the joy of our new-found friends with a commensurate love of the outdoors. As I have looked over SimonÕs Place, I have cried tears for the three of you and for all of your friends and loved ones that knew Simon. I hope and pray that our brief meeting is just the beginning of a meaningful relationship where we can continue to encourage each other in the trials and joys of this life. To many more hikes and camping trips in the great outdoors!
Smiles, LaRue

Just after he died, I wrote a song about Simon -- mostly based on things I read here on this site, and also on seeing him -- the few times I saw him -- in Ann Arbor, before you moved. I'd hoped to be able to sing it for you when you were here, but it was not to be. I've not yet taught it to my band, but hope to someday. I'll make a recording and send it to you if you like, but won't perform it unless you give your ok. I really like it. I wanted it to be a blend of boy-energy mischeviousness (I never know how to spell that) and wisdom -- both so apparent in Simon's quotes on the site. When and if we ever play it as a band, it will be LOUD.

It's odd to have known you for such a short time -- when I left the Museum we really lost touch -- and then to be a sort of silent, lurky witness as you went thru Simon's illness and loss. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and hey and howdy and that Simon is in no way forgotten and will never be -- even by tangential, long-ago friends like me!

Love, Whitley

Your message comes as a beautiful gift this evening. The past couple of months have been very difficult for us, especially for me. When my grief feels heavy, it can sometimes be hard for me to remember the joy and the love and the faith we felt so strongly with Simon. Thank you for finding words to remind me of my enormous love for Simon again tonight. I am deeply grateful.

Mary

I was a classmate at Wesleyan, and learned of this website in one of our newsletters. Over the past 2 years, I have frequented the site but never posted a message... I just couldn't find the right words to say or the right time to say them. Well, I still don't have the words... but don't want to wait any longer to tell you what an inspiration you and your family have been to me over the years. You exchanged more love in Simon's final weeks than most individuals experience in a lifetime. I wish you all the best -- continued faith, strength and love.

Warmest regards,
Sheryl Knapp (Epstein)

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I was so moved by your mother's descriptions of the time surrounding Simon's death. I certainly do agree that the larger and greater the love, the loss is in equal proportion. Please know I am thinking of you all so often.
Love,
Katrina Zook

Carla and I send our thoughts, prayers, and love in a vivid swath of colors that will surround and comfort all of you. We think of Simon often and smile every time we do.

We, Simon's grandparents, have been reliving the sad days before Simon died two years ago. We recall how changed his appearance was. I arrived on July 27. The next day the visiting nurse was startled to see how much Simon's health had declined since the previous day. When I asked privately, she guessed that he might last 2 more days. But he hung on and stabilized. A week later on Aug. 3, Norm arrived, and we continued the vigil. You brought us news early in the morning of Aug. 6 that Simon had breathed his last. It ws all devasting.

But it was also a marvelous time because the house was overflowing with love. Mary and Markus were at Simon's side as he rested and slept in the middle of the king-size bed. They were constantly feeling his needs and acting out their needs to keep attentive to him. The visiting nurses were dependable and supportive. The needed medications arrived. Simon's first grade teacher came and read to him, not knowing, but hoping he could hear. Two school friends came, one with a mother who played guitar and sang to Simon. The cancer doctor made a house call and made a practical suggestion to ease Simon's medication-induced constipation. Food kept arriving on Mondays and Thursdays from the community of your church. Neighbors stopped in daily to check on your grocery needs. Your ministers came. Miriam told Simon that she would be OK and he didn't need to worry about her. We took turns telling him goodbye. But the days went on, and the love never faltered. Then on Aug. 6, it was time.

We cherish so many memories. Most are of the charming healthy Simon and even the charming not-so-healthy Simon. We also cherish memories of those last days because Simon received a full measure of love and a near-perfect sendoff. How we miss him. How blessed we are that he came to our family.

It is hard not to be with you today. We are missing you both and Miriam.

Love,
Mom/Ann

Please know that as the second anniversary of Simon's passing approaches, hundreds of people are sending you virtual hugs and thinking of all of you. I'm picturing Simon in his Superman cape, soaring above the clouds and basking in the love and warmth of his family and friends.

Amy R. Sheon

I also appreciate your willingness to be so open....Because I knew Simon had died, I felt like I could connect with Miriam in an appropriate way when she was explaining the photo scavenger hunt. When she pointed out Simon's photo on the tree, she said her cousins were thinking they could see him, that he would be there in person. I said he was there... in all of their hearts.

Thanks to your website, now he's in our hearts too...Thanks for sharing!
- Laura Seasholes

Thank you for your message. Thanks for reminding me that I haven't posted the results of the lemonade stand on Simon's birthday, which drew a good crowd and generated $1800 for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

It means a lot to us that you are thinking of us. It is lovely to think of a luminary burning bright in Simon's name.

Mary

This is Jennifer Sharpe - Laurens daughter. I haven't been to simons website in a long time but i just visited it and its so wonderful all the things still happening for him. THe ski resort - wow thats awesome and i hope the lemonade stand on his birthday went well. I'm always thinking and praying for your family. I hope all is well.

My mom and i were part of a team last night in Relay for Life. Its a relay the american cancer society holds all over the country and we were on a team wth a bunch of people from our church. the "track" was set up in the parking lot of one of our church buildings and bordered in luminaries people had bought in memory, honor and graditude of others. I just wanted to let you know that i bought a luminary in memory of Simon.

hope you are having a wonderful summer!

Lots of love!

Jennifer Sharpe

Rachael

I immediately remembered your name when I saw your message in my email this morning. But I appreciate your sensitivity that I might be confused. I have to admit, keeping new acquaintances straight is one of the things I struggle with constantly now.

We are happy for you to share Simon's Place with your class. Let me know if you have a student that has a research question we might assist with.

Mary

Happy Birthday, Simon

Love,

Kathy, Nathan, Marina, and Jane

Love to you all,
Lawrie

Delighted to discover the update at Simon's Place! Thank you, as ever, for writing.

I follow the moon's cycles with new awareness ever since Simon's death, knowing that you and I, from our distant geographic spots, connect with our eyes and hearts focused on the moon together. I confess, however, that what with rainy day after rainy day (after rainy day) here in New England this week and for some of last week, I've lost all sense of where we are in the cycle. Thank you for the reminder.

The Simon candles are radiantly beautiful!

Best wishes on the 17th at the lemonade stand. I envision a huge success.

Give Miriam a huge smooch for me! What a beautiful note she wrote. What poignant wishes.

Love,
Dotty

Wishing you much peace & warm memories of Simon,
Sherry Powell, mom to Josh, www.caringbridge.org/page/josh

Karen Brittain

I'm so happy to hear today from my favorite "space cadets"!! The NASA Kids Web site looks great. Do you know, we haven't changed the Simon's Favorites page since we first created it when Simon was four years old. There would be a lot to add to that now, wouldn't there. I wonder what his favorite things would be now, coming up on nine years old?

Did you notice the announcement on the site about Simon's Way, the new ski run at Brighton Ski Resort? We're looking forward to the dedication next Friday. Now all of you out-of-towners really need to plan a ski trip to Utah!

A belated Happy Birthday to Marina!

Love,

Mary

Just a note to say that we have been thinking of you and remembering Simon.

Here's a cool website that you all might enjoy

http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/

Love,

Marina, Jane, Kathy, and Nathan

Thank you so much for the gift of the recordings you posted of your performances in May 2005 during your 20th reunion at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Magnificent! Brava!

It will take me awhile to recognize you in that new-to-me voice; heretofore I've known you only through your writing voice and through your speaking voice as it reveals itself as a backdrop on some of the video clips of Simon et al -- your singing voice is different from those voices!

I LOVE the photo of Miriam in front of the piano with new friend Emily : )

xo
Dotty

I would love to share an audio clip from my Mahler performance, but, alas, we did not record it. Elizabeth and I intend to make a recording for ourselves, but we still have technical issues to resolve. I have found that serving as one of the primary implementers on the church music committee of our new concert series, I am unable to cover all the bases when I am also a performer in the concert. We're still piloting the series and learning a lot. For my part, I can't tell you what a revelation it has been to me how totally preoccupying it is for me to be the performer, rather than the organizer. So far, I can't be both. Maybe with more practice. . .? Or identifying others who can help?

Some of my work on the music committee harkens back to my days with Arts at Michigan. The same applies to my German teaching. This week, I'm taking 10 students to see Utah Opera's production of The Magic Flute. It's as if I gave myself a "Course Connections" mini-grant, and I'm working to build the arts event into my teaching and, I hope, entice my middle-school students to make opera a part of their lives into their futures. We also took an exciting back-stage tour yesterday morning. It wasn't exactly a German lesson, but it's a great way to take advantage of teaching at a school that's within walking distance of the theater.

As my energy slowly returns, I find myself exercising some of the things that used to be part of my work at Michigan. It feels pretty good.

Meanwhile, I'll look for another recent recording that I can share. Thanks for asking!

--Mary