Our Dear Simon
Abraham Lincoln once said:
“In the End it is not the Years in your Life that count. It is the Life in your Years.”
And what a great life Simon had for 16 and half years on this earth and how fortunate we all were to
have had him amongst us and be part of his life.
Tonight is a gathering of warm and friendly people who come from all walks of Simon’s life, who come
together to celebrate and remember our dear Simon.
Torben, Sara and I know that many of you have been waiting anxiously for us to come back from Europe,
so you would be able to express your emotions and feelings, and also learn and understand how this
tragedy happened and Simon so abruptly be taken away from all of us who loves him so dearly.
As many of you know Simon’s life and heart were in 2 countries; The US, more specifically California and
Florida where he was born and raised, and Denmark where all his relatives are living and summers
would be spent.
His daily life was here in Florida with Torben, Sara and I, his wonderful friends in school, outside of
school, tennis buddies, Four wheeling buddies, great teachers and coaches and this great community
called Silverthorn where, if you did not know Simon you knew of him.
Part of every summer break and sometimes Christmases were devoted to Denmark. Where all of us
would go and spend quality time with family and be spoiled with home cooked Danish dishes that Simon
so enjoyed. As Simon and Sara got older we got even more adventurous and combined our Denmark
visits with visits to other European countries.
We planned this summer a little differently. Simon wanted to take the journey to Denmark on his own
and spend 5 weeks there by himself before the 3 of us were to join him. His whole stay was to conclude
with a Mediterranean cruise trip with the 3 of us and 11 close family members.
Simon left on June 15th, happy as can be and ready to take on this trip on his own. He arrived safely in
Denmark on June 16th, although he almost missed his train stop on the last leg of his trip because he fell
asleep.
Simon stayed with close family and we had arranged for him to work there. He wanted to save up for his
dream truck, which was pretty much already picked out. He was having the time of his life. He saw
everybody, went to family gatherings, went to a family summer cottage on the Danish West Coast,
played with all the little ones who he loved so much, enjoyed various sports activities, moved lawns,
supervised the yearly family Midsummer Bonfire, got spoiled and cared for in every way. He quite
simply had the greatest time.
July 16th. , 4 weeks into his stay in Denmark, is when Torben, Sara’s and my life completely stopped and
our lives forever changed. A beautiful Danish summer morning out in the countryside where the birds
were chirping and Simon getting on his bike to ride to work as a happy boy. That morning, as the
morning before, Simon was accompanied by his uncle Brian, who wanted to get his daily workout in and
ride with Simon to work. As usual they took the same small peaceful countryside roads we have in
Denmark where a car comes every 15 min. They came upon a stretch where the road curves and small
pebbles and gravel cover part of the road. Simon’s bike slid on the gravel and he instinctively pulled his
back break. He lost control and as he fell with the bike a car came towards him. Simon died instantly
from the head injuries he incurred. There were no speed involved; it was simply a freak accident.
Sara and I were here when we got the devastating phone call, Torben were on a business trip in Asia.
And with Simon in Europe, the situation was beyond unbearable. Of course, somehow we all found
unknown inner strength driven by the massive urge to get to Simon as quickly as possible.
As we left for Europe immediately, the most beautiful vigil was held for Simon that night in our front
yard. Many, many of Simons great, wonderful friends had managed to put it all together in very little
time, and came together to support each other and honor Simon so beautifully. We are forever grateful
and as proud of all of you as we know Simon are. The poster boards and notes you left for us are on
display here tonight and will be kept forever. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We had a beautiful funeral service in Denmark for Simon on July 24th, at a small countryside church.
Nearly a 100 family members and friends filled the church. Wonderful flower arrangements, many in
Simon’s favorite color orange, covered the floor and window sills. There were singing and marvelous
words spoken about Simon. He would have been in awe as I’m sure he is when looking down at us
tonight.
As you can see Simon is now safe here at home; his remains arrived Friday last week. Today in Denmark
a small family service took place. A memorial stone carrying Simon’s name were placed in the family
garden where Simon spent so much time this summer.
Simon was a very happy boy, quickly becoming a young man. He was respectful of others, respected by
all, a great athlete, a talented student (just inducted into the National Honors Society), a multi talent,
honest and cutely goofy, above all he managed to keep a certain humbleness about it all beyond words.
So many of his friends have said to us: “I’m a better person for having had Simon as my friend”.
He was a fabulous son and brother, grandson, friend, student, tennis player, and playmate to all the
little ones overseas. He has always made us proud and will continue to do so.
He got to do and see so much in his short life and there were so much more to come. He was looking
forward to his junior year in High school, being with friends, playing 1st single on the tennis team, more
Four wheeling, getting his driver’s license and buying his dream truck.
Simon and Sara are our pride and joy. Torben has often said to me “what would we do if we lost one of
them?” And here we are facing such tragedy, that there are no words ever to be written that can
describe the heartache and pain we feel; this is beyond devastation to us.
I cannot speak enough about all the love and support we have felt here as well as in Denmark. In person,
through emails and phone calls, poems, cards, flowers, you tube video tributes, various newspaper
articles and Topix.com. We thank you all so much.
All of it has and still does keep us going and helps us to somehow try to continue on. We know life must
go on and everyday Sara reminds us of that. Fortunately she is still looking forward to going back to
Ringling this fall to continue her education just like Simon would have wanted her to, and we know she
will do fantastic. Sara, we love you so much.
I ask all of you to forever keep Simon’s spirit alive and live your lives according to him; make him proud
as we will always be proud of him. Take him with you in your hearts wherever you go.
Our darling Simon: we know you will continue to do wonderful things where you are. When you left; this
place lost a great citizen!
WE LOVE YOU FOREVER