Last weekend, thousands of families were reorganized (albeit temporarily), as children left for summer camp. For families that participate in this ritual, it is viewed as a tremendous gift, and an opportunity to learn independence. For those that don’t participate, it can be viewed as an odd – who sends...

Every day across America, millions of people board airplanes for commercial travel.  In 2011, 632,000,000 people took to the skies in our country.  Interestingly, not one of those passengers is allowed to fly without hearing these words:  “insert the clasp into the buckle; the nearest exit may be behind you; the lights on...

No one would have blamed me for hating the world after Simon died.  After all, life was not fair.  My baby died before me and that’s just never supposed to happen.  The universe was not working . . . . As I stood next to Representative Mike Vereb and Governor...

I need to begin by saying thank you to Jennaphr Frederick, Josh Weisman, Brian Kadunc and Representative Mike Vereb.  The universe brought all of us together on April 14, 2011, and as a result, we are here today making a huge difference in the lives students. Representative Vereb, a big...

It’s 10:50 PM, the night before our second Downingtown screening.  We’ll screen about 300 kids.  Three of them will likely find a heart condition.  This is the normal routine.  Review email folder for cancellations.  Update registration lists.  Make corrections to folders and forms.  Load up the van with equipment. However,...

The very first Simon’s Day was held at the World Cafe Live on Simon’s first birthday (October 21, 2006).  At that event, 80 friends (adults and kids) listened to the music of Erin Flynn.  We also had a mini-heart screening.  We came together to remember Simon.  A few years later,...

“I hope that one day something good comes of this.”  The cliche that we’ve all muttered at least once in our life.  This is THE phrase that follows every inexplicable tragedy.  It was included in my eulogy to Simon. As I sit here on the seventh anniversary of his death,...

One of my favorite songs is Seasons of Love from RENT.  In it, the characters describe all of the ways to measure a year: In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights In cups of coffee In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In truths that she learned, Or in times...

In basketball, we hear about “threes” all of the time.  A player lines up behind the arc, lets it go, and drains a three pointer.  This past week, “threes” took on a new meaning.  When the big news was supposed to be about the NBA (finally) starting its season, the...

Kudos to the PA Senate (and previously the PA House) for passing the Safety in Youth Sports Act (SB 200).  They join 30 other states that have passed this type of legislation.  The bill is now waiting to be signed by the Governor. Over the last few years, there has been a...