ted winick
Toronto
2010-01-31 04:41:56 | Dear Ned,
Since we had lunch several weeks ago, and I went home with Stacey's book "I Am A Rose", not a day goes by that I don't spend a minute, often more pondering what you discovered through her passing. Certainly I found that the message you spent so much time and effort to find was stated so clearly in Stacey's poetry... perhaps it was so in our faces and minds, that we in fact missed the simple truth of the epiphany she experienced long before she was even a teen.
As you know, I am a chess instructor in Toronto schools, using the game as a metaphor for life to teach life skills and critical thinking. I now keep the copy of "I Am A Rose" in my brief case at all times and read from it when the opportunity presents itself... which is often.
When I observe youth who seem lost or confused about their future or by other issues which precipitate adolescent angst, I turn to Stacey's book and relate the story of her life and death. I do this in a way that helps these living, breathing children to realize what they have to live for.
I am refining my lesson, searching for the most effective way to impart the beauty and passion that was Stacey's being. I want these children to realize they have the opportunity to be something that was taken from Stacey. I am getting better (albeit slowly) at suggesting that these children include as part of their goals, to live out their lives as Stacey might have, indeed as Stacey did... and to do so for her!!!
I'm amazed at the effect this lesson has on these children, some as young as grade 2 and 3. I do this without warning teachers of my intention; I slip it in the last 10 minutes or so of a class, and always read the following three passages: 1) "I Am A Rose", 2) "Student and Teacher" and 3) the quote from her journal written on 'Day 5, Wed. March 15, 1995' found on the inside cover of the book.
I will close by adding that your comment in one of the interviews you gave, about the fact that you were a good person before Stacey's death, but have now added being a passionate person, resonated with me in the most profound way. I have always made decisions based on my feelings and have been criticized by others for not being rational. I never fully understood why I made those decisions, but through your explanation I now know they were more than right, they were life-giving.
Thank you, Ned, and G-d bless you, your family and of course Stacey.
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Timothy J. Staley
Salt Lake City, Utah USA
2008-03-14 10:44:16 | I shared the poetry Stacey wrote with my daughter's friends when they visited for Spring Break from college. It was inspiring and because of this book and the messages inside we have decided to take my daughter's poetry and the stories she wrote and compile them for print.
Thank you for your positive energy and for making a difference in not just my life but in many others.
Be Well,
Timothy |
Alberto Danis
Amecameca, Mèx.
2007-10-07 16:08:49 | I hope understand this mesaage, cause my english isnt very well, i know about Stacey, because today 7/10/07, escaled the Volcano Iztaccihuatl in Mexico with my brothers, cousin and one friend, and we saw there, a little blue box, into it, theres a book and a notebook, i wrote some Words, about i think in that moment, and i read some pages of the book, i hink that is amazing, i hope can buy it soon, i really sorry, and "Stace always be a Rose", taka care so much, and you come to escaled this magnific Volcano, its amazing!!!!
Alberto Danis
From Amecameca, Mèx.
betomb30@hotmail.com
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david kunkel
guelph ontario
2007-09-30 20:54:51 | its only been 3 months since our 19yr old son died. he died from a diabetes. we found him in a coma in his apt on june 30th and we withdrew life support in the early morning hours of july 5th. its the hardest thing we have ever had to do. if someone would have told sharon and i when we were married 27 yrs ago that we would hve to experieince this i dont think we would have believed them. i know from other peple who ahve gone thru this that ther eis a silver lining behind htis black cloud but right now it doesnt feel like it. its unbelievable to me. i wish i couod change it back
i read your book. i received it from afeind who lost his 4 yr old daughter 3 years ago. i wasnt sure i would be ready to read it. when i opened it and strted to read the first few lines of the Preface I didnt stop. i read it in two sittings. its now sunday night and i jsut finished it.
thanking you doesnt seem appropriate. i'm still numb from all this. i hope some day to find purpose in Johnny's passing and maybe johnny and stacey are looking over your family and mine
david |
Tammy Hill
Brandon Fl
2007-04-13 21:03:27 | I just got through listening to you Mr.Levitt speaking at the 2006 Bereaved Parents on the Power of Memorials. Your words have touched me. I lost my son Tyler at the age of 9 in July 2004. You can visit him at http://www.heavenlyangeltyler.com
Thank you so much for reaching out to other.
Hugs Tammy & Angel Tyler |
Ephi Lavon
Acco Israel
2006-12-11 10:14:19 | I light a candle to stacey levitt as she will remain at the age of 18 .
To you the Levitt with all our support |
Linda P
Halifax, NS
2006-12-06 08:49:11 | dec 05,2006.. I lie in bed dreading the new day that has started which should be celebrating my sons 18th birthday, instead of mourning 7 years without him. As I, as well lost my precious son as he was hit by a car in front of our home. I listened to vicky and heard you speak, I realized this was meant for me to take notice. I will seek your books for comfort and knowledge as a sure sign from my angel. Thank you |
Pat Ellis
Essex, Ontario, Canada
2006-08-25 10:57:26 | I was truly inspired by the book No mountain too high! I too am having to walk in shoes that are worn by people who have lost a child and it is not easy to say the least!! My 24 yr old daughter Marla was killed in a car/truck accident, May 10, 2000, while vacationing in Australia!! Life, I don't believe can ever be the same for this family! Although we are still functioning the best way we know how, and enjoying daily life one day at a time, always remembering that this is not the safe world that we once lived together in!! There is a constant ache in my heart daily, realizing what Marla is missing, and what we are misssing by not having her in our lives today!! Someday when I can crawl out from under my grief and mourning I would like to have a memorial in our town to display the names of children who have left this earth far, far, too soon!! I have found comfort in my Bereavement Group and was wondering if you would be in the Windsor, Ontario area anytime soon and if you could inform me of a speaking engagement that the Group might attend! I just can't get enough reading material from people like you and Stacey's poems, that inspire us to move on from our grief and celebrate their lives'!! Thanks for writing your story! Marla's Mom, Pat Ellis |
H.M. (Bobbie) Van Vliet
Calgary, AB
2006-01-24 20:30:50 | In 1977 my youngest son died. He too was 18. Scarcely a day goes by when thoughts of him him don't cross my heart and mind - especially on his birthday, at Christmas, Easter - I think you know what I mean. So, you see, I do have some understanding of what you have gone through - and are still going through. May God bless and keep you and your family. Stacey's poems are an inspiration. A mother whose heart still aches ad still bears the scars. |
rachael derbyshire
brantford, ontario
2006-01-15 16:02:15 | Today I heard Ned Levitt speak at the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, and was truly moved by what he had to say. It even brought tears to my eyes when I was describing his words to my parents. Thank you for sharing Stacey's gift with the world. Ose shalom bimromav hu ya'ase shalom aleynu veh'al kol Yisrael veh'imru, imru amen Rachael Derbyshire |
Shannon Lafontaine
Sudbury, Ontario
2005-12-07 19:27:21 | I watched you Mr.Levitt on the talk show of Vicky Gabereau and was touched by your story of your wonderful daughter Stacey.I thought what an affect this young woman had on me. I too had lost someone I really loved a little over five years ago and he was only seventeen years of age. It wasn't the fact that he passed away that got to me,but that he was only seventeen.I miss him a great deal just like you miss your daughter.Well I just wanted to tell you that your daughter,Stacey,is an inspiration to all and I look forward to reading about her in your book. Sincerely Yours Truly, Shannon Lafontaine |
Dianne
Woodbridge, Ont
2005-12-07 12:43:26 | I was visiting my sick grandmother when the Vicki Gabereau show came on. I had never watched it before but your story was truly an inspirational one. I look forward to purchasing the books and wish your family the best as well as all the other families who have suffered the loss of a child. I send you all my prayers. Dianne |
