SIMON'S PLACE
A WEB SITE FOR SIMON VODOSEK
Simon's Legacy What's Happening
Photo Gallery
Simon Says
Diagnosis
Treatment
Cancer Links
Simon's Favorites
Message Board
Stories
Simon's Place HOME

MESSAGE BOARD Archive August 17-31, 2004

Thank you for visiting! You can click here to add to Simon's Message Board.


Tuesday, August 31, 2004 -- 23:15:14 (EDT)
Name: Jennifer Wolf -- Email: jwolf@hrwc.org
Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
  • Simon lives on in your wonderful memories of all that he was, and in your sincere and palpable longing. He was an amazing child from an amazing family. Bless you, Miriam, Mary and Markus, for all you gave Simon and all you shared with us. He will always be truly missed, and his inspiring outlook will be his legacy. Peace, love and comfort to you.
    Jennifer, Eric and Nani Wolf


    Tuesday, August 31, 2004 -- 16:33:20 (EDT)
    Name: Kerimcan Ozcan
    Location: Chicago, IL
  • Dear Markus, Mary, and Miriam,

    I am filled with deep sadness and sorrow. I wish God's grace and blessings on Simon and strength and courage for you and your loved ones.

    Kerimcan


    Tuesday, August 31, 2004 -- 11:06:14 (EDT)
    Name: Adele, Rob, and Griffin Roy -- Email: adeleroy@earthlink.net
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • We were so sad to hear the news of Simon -- Griffin remembers well the joyful birthday party at the park before you left for Utah. He says Simon was always fun to be with and did wonderful artwork! Many blessings to you from your extended family in Ann Arbor -- Simon's spirit and your devotion to giving him every happiness won't be forgotten!

    Tuesday, August 31, 2004 -- 10:34:02 (EDT)
    Name: Gari Stein -- Email: Garistein@aol.com
    Location: Ann Arbor,
  • Hello to you all, my grandbabies and I put on our brightest colors on Saturday morning and I held them tight while I thought of all of you in Salt Lake City. My heart is so full of Simon and everyday I look at the wonderful picture of Mary and Simon (18 months) smiling and blowing whistles face to face. Please know how much you all are loved and are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Much love and peace to you always. Gari

    Tuesday, August 31, 2004 -- 07:49:30 (EDT)
    Name: Stacy -- Email: sawade@umich.edu
    Location: Canton, MI USA
  • I am so sad and sorry for you loss. I can only imagine what your family is going through. I have a neice who has Neuroblastoma. She was diagnosed when she was 13 months old. I beleive you actually met her family in New York (Peyton Gaines). Your family is in our families hearts and prayers.

    Monday, August 30, 2004 -- 14:00:13 (EDT)
    Name: Christie Brown -- Email: clbrown@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Hello to all Simon's friends:

    I thought I would post a link to the obituary for Simon that appeared in last week's Ann Arbor paper, for those who did not have a chance to see it:

    http://www.legacy.com/annarbor/Guestbook.asp?Page=Guestbook&ampPersonID=2550741


    Monday, August 30, 2004 -- 10:50:15 (EDT)
    Name: Lisa Greco -- Email: grecolisa@
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Hi Mary, Markus and Miriam,
    One of my strongest memories of Simon is him being in his beautiful, brightly colored sweater that Mary made tickling under Amelia's chin and making her laugh. Our prayers and blessings are with you all. With Love,
    Lisa, Terri, Amelia and Leo.


    Monday, August 30, 2004 -- 10:49:35 (EDT)
    Name: Lisa Greco -- Email: grecolisa@
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Hi Mary, Markus and Miriam,
    One of my strongest memories of Simon is him being in his beautiful, brightly colored sweater that Mary made tickling under Amelia's chin and making her laugh. Our prayers and blessings are with you all. With Love,
    Lisa, Terri, Amelia and Leo.


    Sunday, August 29, 2004 -- 23:11:56 (EDT)
    Name: kathy and marina -- Email: duderstadt@sbcglobal.net
    Location: san antonio, tx usa
  • Dear Mary, Markus, and Miriam,

    Simon's memorial service was beautiful. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be included.

    Love,
    Kathy and Marina


    Saturday, August 28, 2004 -- 18:57:42 (EDT)
    Name: carrie -- Email: oakhill@soonet.ca
    Location: ssmarie, ont canada
  • love and light and cushions of blessings bright and shining
    as wonderful and magic as simon
    love to you carrie


    Saturday, August 28, 2004 -- 15:31:48 (EDT)
    Name: Melanie, Sadashi, Isamu and Ayane -- Email: inuzukas@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Dear Mary, Markus and Miriam,
    Sun.hugs.birds and bugs. and lots of lots of colour. We are thinking of you all out there, hope you are carried forward by the love of family and many friends. There is much to be sad for and yet much to celebrate. Simon has shown that to all. Our thoughts are with you. love, Melanie, Sadashi, Isamu and Ayane


    Saturday, August 28, 2004 -- 14:52:16 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman -- Email: geminimoon@csolutions.net
    Location: Elliot Hall, Simon's Memorial Service
  • Beautiful. Just like Simon. I just wanted to let all of you out there know how present you are. The ceremony itself was filled with laughter, reflection, tears, family, friends, joy &amp spirit. Folks are now lining up to share nourishment of body and spirit. Plates are being filled and many embraces fill the room.

    Simon, we all miss you. We wll never forget you. Your spirit will always shine.

    Brightest blessings to all who visit here. ~Rachael and Maggie


    Saturday, August 28, 2004 -- 12:15:02 (EDT)
    Name: Katherine Lawrence -- Email: kathla@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Dear Markus, Mary, and Miriam,
    I hope that today is filled with the warmth and comfort of memories and love. I'm sorry that I can't join today's celebration of Simon's life, but my best wishes are with you. Love, Katherine


    Saturday, August 28, 2004 -- 09:57:29 (EDT)
    Name: Beth Hospadaruk -- Email: hospadaruk@comcast.net
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • It is grey, overcast and rainy here in Ann Arbor today. I think the bright colors that I will be wearing will bring a smile to someone's face. When that person smiles, they will be connected to Simon. I am with you all 100% on this memorial day even if I can not see you or hug you. May this day truly be a day of grand celebration.
    Love from my heart, Beth


    Friday, August 27, 2004 -- 22:37:04 (EDT)
    Name: The Burgers -- Email: ltburger@hotmail.com
    Location: Ithaca, NY
  • We will be wearing bright colors in Ithaca tomorrow and offering a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Simon, and for the love that surrounded him and continues to sustain us all.
    much love,
    Liza, Mike, Jolan and Jenna


    Friday, August 27, 2004 -- 15:56:29 (EDT)
    Name: Oasis Cafe -- Email: joel@goldenbraidbooks.com
    Location: SLC, Utah USA
  • All of us at the Oasis Cafe and the Golden Braid Bookstore are honored to have any affiliation at all with this wonderful family. On more than one occasion now my day was touched and lessons were learned in gaining insight about myself and our place here on earth. I feel strongly that Simons legacy will indeed physically live on through those he loved and who loved him. The energy we pass to each other on a daily basis through love has an amazing power that I believe never dies. The phrase "when he died, a part of me went with him" is physically a fact and conversly an equal amount of Simon will live on through your family and everyone he loved for that matter.

    I am so happy to have the opportunity to serve such an incredible family this coming Saturday evening as a portion of celebrating the life of this precious little man. Realistically, there isn't much we can do to ease this loss. Please find some comfort in knowing that we are thinking about you all and pray that you understand the real meaning of everlasting life- that as long as you continue to love each other, Simons love energy will in turn be passed from generation to generation so that he too can experience this life through you and the ones you love.

    We hope to see you more at The Oasis and The Golden Braid hoping we can make this transition in your life just a little bit easier.

    Love and Prayers,

    Joel and Jill LaSalle and all of us at the Oasis Cafe and Golden Braid Book Store.


    Friday, August 27, 2004 -- 12:17:22 (EDT)
    Name: Kristen Quinn -- Email: kristen.quinn@hsc.utah.edu
    Location: SLC, UT USA
  • Dear Mary, Markus, and Miriam:
    I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words. But there are so many memories; may they provide you with some comfort and peace. I was honored to watch Simon's strength and love of life during the Intergen Services at church last year. A memory that stands out is when you brought the beautiful quilt his classmates made for him to share during milestons. I was so touched by the love that went into that quilt. It was a reflection of the boy it was made for. With love, Kristen Quinn


    Friday, August 27, 2004 -- 08:43:43 (EDT)
    Name: Rachael Coleman -- Email: geminimoon@csolutions.net
    Location: SLC,
  • Check the link behind my name for a picture the SLTrib online has up today labeled "Proposing a Toast to Simon". Not sure if it's in the print version too, but I would think it is. Blessings and love from me and mine to you and yours! Rachael, Maggie and August

    Thursday, August 26, 2004 -- 23:53:23 (EDT)
    Name: Julie Goodro (Miss Julie) -- Email: juliengoodro@hotmail.com
    Location: Murray, Utah
  • Hi Miriam,
    I'm so glad you'll be in our school again this coming year. We'll all miss Simon with you. We have many wonderful things planned for this year. In some ways it will be sad, but in many ways it will be a glad year too. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Love,
    Miss Julie


    Thursday, August 26, 2004 -- 14:58:45 (EDT)
    Name: Dr. Jim Williams -- Email: jawill@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
  • Dear Mary &amp Markus,

    Both your strength &amp Simon's will be remembered always. My prayers are with you.


    Wednesday, August 25, 2004 -- 23:26:08 (EDT)
    Name: Sylvia Pituch -- Email: smp75@msn.com
    Location: Allentown, PA USA
  • To Simon's family...will be with you in thought and prayer and brightly colored clothing on Saturday. I hope you will be able to post some of what is said at the Memorial. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Thanks for sharing this part of the journey. Love, Sylvia

    Tuesday, August 24, 2004 -- 15:59:57 (EDT)
    Name: Natalie Thomas -- Email: nthomas@heritageisp.net
    Location: sandy, utah
  • I really found this site very touching. Im a mother of a strong healthy 10 month old, and Im very thankful for that. I find it a very humbling to read this site and the hurdles Simon and your family crossed together. Thank you for sharing god bless you and your family. NThomas

    Tuesday, August 24, 2004 -- 10:14:59 (EDT)
    Name: dustan haycock -- Email: dustanhaycock@associatedmrtg.com
    Location: salt lake, utah salt lake
  • I just spent almost an hour in the website. During most of the time tears streamed down my cheeks as I thought of your little simon and his struggle for life. I must say that I can tell that he was loved and well cared for. If only all children in this world had parents like simon had what a better place it would be. May you continually find peace in the days to come. I am so sorry for your tragic loss of such a sweet son. My best to you in the coming days, months and years.

    Sunday, August 22, 2004 -- 16:18:31 (EDT)
    Name: Lisa Korenko -- Email: ljkorenko@msn.com
    Location: Flagstaff, AZ USA
  • Wow, for just a little guy he sure has a huge and monumental legacy.
    I sure wish there wasn't a reason to have a legacy but, because there is I'm humbled to have witness to his journey.
    And what a fantastic memorial fund you have done. While we all want to see neuroblastoma cured and many memorials are set up for research I'd like to think that Simon's memorial is just as "curative". Simon's fund directly serves the SOUL of the child. It does no good to cure the child if the soul is destroyed.
    Like pixie dust, Simon's magic is spreading over all our children with or without neuroblastoma.
    Much Love and gratitude,
    Lisa, mom to Justina 9 (nb with OMS)


    Sunday, August 22, 2004 -- 12:08:40 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig -- Email: mfcraig@umich.edu
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • I realize that we rarely acknowledge messages to this Board in a personal way, although we do read them all and feel great support from contributors to this forum.

    I was very touched by Karen's message from Madagascar, and I wanted to add to it, for those from Oberlin, that Karen is the oldest(?) of the Schoonmaker family. I know this Web site has been a means of many people reconnecting (such as some of my high school classmates).

    Just wanted to be sure that connection was clear, since I had to think for a moment myself to figure out who had written those beautiful words.

    Thanks, Karen. And thanks to everyone else posting and giving time, thought, prayer, and tears to help us through.

    --Mary


    Sunday, August 22, 2004 -- 09:04:11 (EDT)
    Name: Karen, Mark, Maia and Annika -- Email: freudenberger@wanadoo.mg
    Location: Fianarantsoa, Madagascar
  • Dear Mary, Markus, and Miriam,
    We have followed Simon’s life adventure … and yours … from afar, largely vicariously through Oberlin family since that first diagnosis. But only now have I read the web page and begun to get an inkling of the extraordinary journey you have made as a family and to appreciate your ability to find a path through the challenges that exceed my capacity to imagine or describe them … I have enormous admiration for your fortitude, courage, love, humor, and honesty in confronting those challenges. With tears streaming down my face as I share your loss, I also can’t help but feeling that in your short time with Simon, you both gave to him and and received from him so much more … of everything … than most of us will share with those we love in the much longer lifetimes we enjoy together.

    May Simon’s indomitable spirit and the outpouring of love that his life and your struggle inspired comfort and strengthen you all as you journey forward.
    Karen


    Sunday, August 22, 2004 -- 00:34:55 (EDT)
    Name: The Rutter's -- Email: nticu@aol.com
    Location: Flushing, MI
  • You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as you face these most difficult days.

    Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- 22:01:33 (EDT)
    Name: amy -- Email: asheon@umich.edu
    Location: ann arbor, mi
  • Dear M M and M:

    I will be with you all in spirit next week from our summer vacation in Quebec and will dress in joyful colors to share in the celebration of Simon's too-short life that brought so much to so many.


    Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- 20:53:25 (EDT)
    Name: Stacy Shirouzu -- Email: shirouzu@comcast.net
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
  • Dear Mary, I was very, very sad to hear that Simon has passed away. I remember meeting you and Simon for the first time in the playground at the Ann Arbor Open School, and my son Jarrett and Simon had a good time playing on the jungle gym. Simon's courage was amazing, wasn't? Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Stacy and Jarrett Shirouzu

    Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- 15:36:25 (EDT)
    Name: Nancy Mayer -- Email: nmayer@ensbraccio.com
    Location: Den Haag, Netherlands
  • Dear Mary, Markus and Miriam and family,

    I was so sad to check into Simon's website and see that he had died. I mourn with you and feel your profound loss. What a wonderful spirit to have lost. I wish you all much "sterkte" (from the Dutch), in this difficult time.

    Much love from my family to yours,

    Nancy, Jonathan, Claire Ellen and Sammy


    Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- 13:17:36 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig -- Email: mfcraig@umich.edu
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • Dear Friends,

    We continue to be uplifted by every card that comes through the mail, every visit paid to the house, and every message posted here.

    I imagine it's as hard for all of you to come up with words for a time like this. Just as it's hard for us to know what we're doing, thinking, feeling.

    I'm glad the message board is here, especially today. As many of you have noticed, I have kept my email and Web account at the University of Michigan (as the spouse of a graduate, no less). I was unprepared for an outage in the email service that began yesterday evening. Apparently, there is a huge upgrade to the mail servers. It was expected to be complete by 6:00 am EST today, but my email is still not available, and they continue to post updates with further delays.

    So, if you've been corresponding with me since late Friday afternoon, I haven't seen your email yet. I'm hoping that access returns soon. Meanwhile, I feel a bond of disconnectedness with the thousands of people at the University of Michigan right now.

    --Mary


    Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- 10:58:22 (EDT)
    Name: Kris Hopkins -- Email: khopkins@mail.colgate.edu
    Location: Clinton, NY
  • Your plans for Simon's memorial service sound just perfect -- a true celebration of his vibrant and creative spirit and zest for living. Please know that we will be "with" you on the 28th, but from afar....

    Your plans for the memorial fund also sound wonderful, reflecting the diversity of Simon's interests and the generosity of his and your hearts. And a performance by Gemini sounds to be an ideal way to inaugurate the series of joyful and enriching activities the fund will accomplish over time.

    Your mention of "firsts" touched me deeply, Mary -- even the simplest actions are imbued with new meaning at a time like this, aren't they? But you all seem to be doing a wonderful job of both acknowledging the pain you feel and yet still putting one foot in front of the other to walk this new path that's before you. Numbness can feel a part of that at times, for sure; but slowly -- and sometimes almost imperceptibly -- you'll find you're "getting there."

    Best wishes to Markus for the start of the new term, and to Mary and Miriam for the beginning of yours as well. We'll be thinking of you as we make our own back-to-school preparations.

    Fondly,
    Kris


    Friday, August 20, 2004 -- 12:17:11 (EDT)
    Name: jane bishop -- Email: jebish@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor ,
  • Dear Miriam,

    What a wonderful portrait of Simon...I can see the sparkling glint in his eyes, and I love the wonderful colors of his outfit. He had the greatest sense of color, and you managed to capture it all. The protrait reminds me of the colors of a butterfly, and he must be smiling at your work!

    Love to you (and Mom and Dad!), Jane


    Thursday, August 19, 2004 -- 11:09:06 (EDT)
    Name: Donna Ainsworth -- Email: donnasa@umich.edu
    Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Dear Mary, Markus and Miriam,

    I am so very, very sad and sorry about the heartwrenching loss of this most wonderful child. May love and grace surround you all forever.


    Thursday, August 19, 2004 -- 00:57:17 (EDT)
    Name: Mary Craig -- Email: mfcraig@umich.edu
    Location: Salt Lake City, UT United States
  • With so many wonderful, supportive messages coming in, I've made an archive for half the month of August.

    We are also grateful for the many thoughtful cards received through the mail.

    --Mary


    MESSAGE BOARD Archive

    GuestBook v1.1
    Report problems with this gateway to webmaster@umich.edu Online help is available.
  • SIMON'S PLACE | A Web Site For Simon Vodosek