From The Cards, Letters, & Memory Book
(For Our Sweet Little Baby Boy)
Simon Jeffrey Hunsberger
May 16, 2005  -  August 22, 2005

In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
As if all the stars
Were laughing
When you look
At the sky at night
(-The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

Stars
Perhaps they are not stars
But rather openings in the heaven,
Where the love our lost one
Pours down through
And shines upon us
To let us know they are happy.
(Eskimo Legend)

Dear Precious Baby Simon

A Baby, A Boy, A Son
(Simon 2005 – 2005)

That day in August,
held in his crib
gentle in his sleep
quiet in his thoughts
 he became a Teacher

that day in August,
no longer than a breath
no louder than a fern
no quicker than a cloud
 he became an Ancestor

that day in August
a day like all days
a day like no other
a day like the first day of the world
he became an Angel

Teacher, Ancestor, Angel
Yet he remains
Your baby, your boy, your son
(Tarin Chaplin)

***************

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night:

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
(Author Unknown)

************
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
(Christopher Robin)

A Letter From Simon – By Susan Hunsberger Wagner

Dear Mom and Dad,

     I was so happy to be born to you; I loved your gentle, loving ways.  I know you don’t understand why I had to go away, but I don’t ever want you to be sad.  God gave me life and he gave me to you, and for some unknown reason God took me away.  Please don’t blame yourselves, because life is to short – and you’re not in control – so you are off the hook.  I loved you so much and I know you loved me, but God’s love is greater, why can’t we just see?  That it’s part of a plan, for you and for me.  And although we don’t understand, this was meant to be.  I know that you’ll miss me, your hearts will be heavy, but I’m so glad you had me, and I was so happy.  I’ll love you forever and I know you’ll love me, but God’s love is greater, so please rest in Thee.  Till we meet again – and we will!  You can be sure of that.  Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me life.  I’ll love you forever.

Your Son,

Simon Jeffrey

            …..Dream…..(Paulette Forbes, Simon’s Maternal Grandmother – Memorial
               Service – September 1, 2005)

I awoke from this dream feeling joy in my heart because I knew Simon had come to me with a message that he was in a beautiful place, that he was a beautiful, sweet angel.

How lucky we are to have known this sweet baby.  A very wise woman told us that our hearts were broken open and all that is left is love.  So many special people have shared how Simon has touched their lives and I would like to share a few of these messages with you.

“Simon chose you both as parents knowing that the love he would feel from you would be immense – never fading – absolute – beautiful love.  Simon’s spirit will always feel that. His life and passing has left me with a deep reverence for life, love, friends, family.”

“Your passionate love for him was like a gentle halo that held and caressed the three of you.  That love will live forever.  Thank you for being so generous with your precious son.  He is a star that will shine forever in my heart.”

“Simon would visit us at the Family Center so we were able to watch him grow.  He would join us at the table for lunch and keep us entertained, smiling and telling us stories.  I feel blessed to have known him in his short time on earth.”
 

Simon, my Simon
With Angel wings spread wide,
Soaring high above us,
On the wind of our love,
Never to be forgotten,
For he touched all who knew him.

“Simon was a spark of joy.  A spark that burned too fast, but left behind a trail of smiles.”

Thank you for Simon, Michelle and Jeff.  Thank you for sharing him so generously.  Simon taught me how to stop and not worry about the trivia of life going on around me.  When I was holding him, rocking him (which I did a lot – I’ve been called the “baby hog”), nothing mattered but Simon.  I would look at him and my world was transformed to a place of total contentment and peace.  You have given us a gift that has changed us forever.  Simon is a precious, sweet soul that brought joy to everyone who was lucky enough to be part of his life.  He will continue to be a light in our hearts and soul and will continue to teach us the true spirit of life. – Paulette Forbes

Simon Jeffrey Hunsberger

Simon Jeffrey Hunsberger, born May 16th, 2005 passed over from this world in the wee hours of August 22nd 2005.  He was the beautiful child of Michelle Legere and Jeffrey Hunsberger of Eden Mills, Vermont.  His young and sweet soul blessed all who met him during his short time here.  He has joined our many family members who have also passed and is the arms of his paternal grandmother Miriam Hunsberger and Uncle Jeffrey Legere, Cousin Peter Fortier, and maternal and paternal great grandparents.  Simon is survived by his parents, maternal grandparents, Paulette Forbes, Bob Merrill Armand Legere and Ferne Little, his paternal Grandfather, Charles Hunsberger, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Simon leaves behind the many friends, family members, and the co-workers from his parent’s work places whom lived our experiences through the pregnancy, birth, life and now his passing.  Simon’s smile and joy will always shine in our hearts and memories forever.  So loved was this joyful baby boy.  Michelle & Jeff ask that in lieu of flowers that those who wish to help preserve Simon’s memory may make donations in his name to the Lamoille Family Center, 480 Cady’s Falls Road, Morrisville Vermont, 05661.  A fund will be developed to help other parents & families who experience similar losses.  Please come and join Simon’s family to celebrate his life Thursday Sept. 1st, 2005 at the Old Meeting House, Center Road in East Montpelier at 1 PM.  The Service will be lead by Pastor Dave Connor.       

Michelle Legere – Mother’s Thoughts For Lamoille Family Center Prayer Service, August 25, 2005

     As parents we are experiencing the unimaginable and our grief is intense at the loss of our precious baby, Simon.  This is true.  But just as true is that it is very important not to place a hierarchy on the grief of our loss.  For it takes a community to raise a child, and when the unthinkable happens, and the sweet smell of a child, the music of the laughter, the dance of one’s heart at even a moment’s glimpse of his smile is taken from us, it is that very same community that grieves….together…..at the loss of its valued member.

Psalm for Simon……. (Jeff Hunsberger’s Goodbye Letter to his Son…..read by Pastor David Connor at the Memorial Service September 1, 2005)

With love my little son, away from us you’ve gone,
To be with those who’ve passed before.

Sweet Simon, you left your mother and I so quietly we never noticed your departure.
And now our hearts’ ache with sorrow to be here without you.
We know that you chose to come to us and we believe you chose to go.
Although we will not fully understand, we reluctantly release your soul from our torn hearts into the hands of the Great Spirit, the Goddess, God, the Prophet, Jesus Christ, and the multitude of guides you chose to help you cross into the Summerland…..

We will miss your cry’s, your sweet smiles, your big belly laughs, and your gassy toots - we will miss helping you to stretch after nursing from Mama’s breast and the look of pure contentment on your sweat face.  We will miss taking “flight 516” with you anymore, your sucking on your chubby little fist and your Nuk, bath time with duckies, and cooking with Mama on the island.  I regret I did not spend every day with you while you were here with us.  Nor did I say goodnight, or even goodbye. 

My sweat son, you smelled so clean, felt so very soft, your voice was wonderful to hear no matter what time it was.  I will remember how you would awaken me in bed by swinging your little arms and hands up and down and tickling me with your little kicks.  Your big blue eyes were wide with delight.  I’m not sorry you came into this world looking like me…..selfishly, I was ever so proud.  So loved and so adored you were little Simon.

May you be at peace now wherever your soul has gone.  I just ask that you help us now.  For without you, Mama and I are like two lost and lonely spirits.  We will find our ways together to move on with out you here with us.  You will always be in our hearts, we will see you in our dreams, we will feel your presence when you allow us to……and help us to be open to noticing your clues.  Our love for you is endless…like the long breezes on the beach we will hear your laughter and voice as your breath caresses our faces…….

May the Angles lift you swiftly into the arms of God, may your soul be blessed with the love of the ages, may your memory live long and joyfully in hearts of all who knew you or knew of you, we will smile & be kind in your honor……
My sweet little Simon………we love you……..Papa.

Simon

After all the years…..I finally met you
Plans are set…..our dreams all come true
Mamma’s got a baby and daddy too!

We gathered all ‘round us
Family & friends so true
Tears of joy and eyes of blue
All to see our little you

Day becomes night and night brings day
We watched and cared
Taking joy & giving love to one we shared

Nothing last forever…..words so true
They cut like a knife into me and you
Now you’re gone – what are we to do?

Life is kind but cruel too
It gives and takes
Heals and breaks

Time so short – life so long
Can’t forget!  Can’t forget!

Gotta move on now as if you’re here
Gotta be brave when all is blue
Gotta be strong!  Gotta be strong!
Thanks God I’ve still got you.

(This Poem was not signed, and was left on the dashboard of our car during the prayer service at the Lamoille Family Center, August 25, 2005)

On Children
(Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet)

            And a woman who held a baby against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.  And he said:

            Your children are not your children.  They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.  They come through you but are not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

            You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts.  You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.  You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.  For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

            You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.  The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.  Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;  For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

For All Parents
(Unknown)

“I’ll lend you for a little time, a child of mine, He said, “For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.  It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two-or three, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?  He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,

You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.  I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, but there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love – not think the labor vain, nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again.  I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, thy will be done.  For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.  We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may; And for the happiness we’ve known, will ever grateful stay.  But shall the angles call for him much sooner than we planned, we’ll love the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”

The Vermont Department of Health
 Morrisville District Office

On May 16, 2005 – the staff of the Morrisville District Office of VDH had a star dedicated and named in Simon’s honor.

You can view Simon’s name in the Universal Star Catalog at:
www.starnamer.com

Click on the “Find Your Star” link and enter Simon’s Registration Number:
SAO 231494

Smile and Be Kind…..in Simon’s honor

Letters & Personal Notes

Michelle & Jeff,
            Simon’s life and death have had an extraordinary impact on many of us.  He has been an amazing presence, a tremendous force of positive energy and a source of great joy and celebration.  His passing has left both a great void and a profound legacy.  The void is our deeply empathetic sharing of your loss, and his loss of your incredible reservoir of parental love, nurture, wisdom and celebration of life.  The legacy is the wonderful way that he left with, around and inside you both such profound and mature wisdom, peace and spirituality.
            Rarely have I met two people so connected to one another enduring such an overwhelming loss and radiating warmth, openness, affection, and honesty.  I believe that this is what Simon came to endow upon you and which you have been able to pass on to all of us who came to share your time of bereavement and celebration of Simon’s life.
            Stay open to more revelation of what Simon’s life and death can teach you and how his spirit will be with you both in mysterious, unexpected and truly fulfilling ways.
            Much love, comfort, prayers and hugs during these days when you’d planned to be feeding, holding, playing with and teaching your gift from God.  I believe the gift of Simon will be with you, guiding you, blessing you and cheering you all your lives.

                                                                                                            Peace, Dave (Connor) 

Simon

Tiny newborn –
Sleeping peaceful
Bathed in love

Fat, laughing Buddha
So happy
Surrounded by
Light –

(Deborah)

**************************

In detailed silence
Simon sings
And in his song
Of soothing words
His spirit is felt
Calming our souls

Like a seed on the wind
Simon’s energy travels
From here to everywhere
Spreading color into the world
Around and within us

Simon, your soaring spirit
Nurtures us
And germinates within us
Regeneration

Thanks you Simon for your presence
Till the day we ourselves
Turn to seed
And fly upward in embrace
To join you in your singing
Of joyousness
In detailed silence

(Stuart Senghas)