TRIBUTES TO SIMON

A Poem for Simon and his Family by Gari Stein

Don't look for me in my bed
amongst my hats
or as Captain Underpants.

Don't look for me in my room
with books and puzzles
piled and strewn.

Or in the hall
or near the door.
I won't be there anymore.

When birds take flight
up to the tree,
Take notice
There!
That's where I'll be.

Or in a cloud or in a field
or in a stream.
Just look for me.

The breeze you feel,
that's where I ride.
And gently land,
Right by your side.

Still here with you.
Still bright and strong.
In the quiet hush
Of Simon's song.

Gari Stein teaches Music for Little Folks in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Simon and his parents joined the class when Simon was 18 months old. Miriam began as a gestating fetus and attended until she was three. Miriam remembers Gari well, and sometimes she holds music class for her dolls. Miriam, of course, is Gari Stein. Gari wrote this poem in August 2004 and sends it as a way of being present at the time of Simon's memorial service.

More Tributes to Simon

• Mary Craig's This I Believe radio essay, May 12, 2008 on KUER in SaLt Lake City

• Zelkova Serrata Tree at the Botanical Garden in Hohenheim, Germany

• Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder" performed by Mary Craig and Elizabeth Ballantyne

• A Note of Condolence from Emma Smid

• Writing Assignment about Simon by Jennifer Sharpe

• A Lemonade Stand for Simon (TV News Story)

• "You've Crossed Over", a Song for Simon by Laz Slomovits

• The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan Pays Tribute to Simon on October 13, 2004

• Musical Tributes in Dublin, Ireland by Blánaid Murphy and Her Choirs
  Updated 12/3/04

• "Simon the Dragon" by Erik Troberg

• A Poem for Simon and his Family by Gari Stein

• Grann's Prayer over Simon's Body, August 6, 2004

• An altar for Simon at the home of Rowan, Annette, and Steve Williams in Oakland, CA

• Miriam's ink and watercolor drawing of Simon, August 7, 2004