Dear Friends and Family,
After learning in December that dialysis would likely only extend his life by a matter of months and further diminish his quality of life, my father, Dennis Simon, quickly and courageously decided to shift his fight for time to a fight for dignity and quality of life with whatever time he had left. As was so often the case during his life, Dad's decision was calculated and decisive, and, once made, he was fully committed.
As many of you now know, my father, Dennis Simon, passed away in my arms peacefully and comfortably on February 10th. And, in the end, my father passed away the way he lived his life...on his terms.
For those of you who knew my father during his lifetime, the following quote from a friend in college will no doubt resonate:
"He was brilliant, arrogant and fascinating. He could elevate your confidence, or thoughtlessly slash it with a few words, or a look. He could certainly be intimidating, but what I remember so well is that being held in his esteem was like being sprinkled with a bit of magic fairy dust. He looms large in my life, and I have no doubt that knowing him changed me...for the better."
Throughout Dad's final weeks and days, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him as a son, a friend and a journeyman, there to help him find his way through. While the experience was a gift for me and everyone involved, filled with love, light, laughter, tears, inspiration and healing, none of it would have been possible without the amazing dedicated support of the VITAS hospice care team. They tirelessly, compassionately and lovingly supported Dad and our family, creating space in Dad's final months for the richness of the gift.
So, now the work begins for the living to carry the messages and learnings of compassion, love, support and healing from this experience forward for those in our communities, our families and for ourselves ...
On March 9th, I turn 50!
Reflecting on the t-shirt my father was wearing when he passed away with the words "DREAM BIG" printed on it...it is with gratitude, courage and inspiration, and hopefully a whole lot of support, that on Saturday, March 7, 2020, I am setting out at 6am in an effort to walk 50 miles for my 50th birthday in 24 hours as a celebration of life and in honor and memory of my father, Dennis Simon.
As part of this journey I am seeking as much support as I can get...as no journey in life is possible without a team.
First, please come walk with me for as little or as much as you want. Send me an email through the GoFundMe link or send me a personal email with your name and mobile phone number and I will text you a description of my route and send you a link so you can geo-locate me throughout the journey and meet up with me wherever I am.
Second, I am raising money that I will donate in my father's memory to VITAS Community Connection in an effort to pay forward the benefits I received in my father's passing. All of the proceeds received by VITAS Community Connection will go directly to support patients, families and local charitable organizations in the VITAS communities. Your contributions could directly help struggling families with things like a wedding cake, paying bills and rent or helping family members travel to visit loved ones.
In loving memory of Dennis Simon, a man, and my father and to my next 50 years!
With gratitude to all of you for your support!
Hunter
After learning in December that dialysis would likely only extend his life by a matter of months and further diminish his quality of life, my father, Dennis Simon, quickly and courageously decided to shift his fight for time to a fight for dignity and quality of life with whatever time he had left. As was so often the case during his life, Dad's decision was calculated and decisive, and, once made, he was fully committed.
As many of you now know, my father, Dennis Simon, passed away in my arms peacefully and comfortably on February 10th. And, in the end, my father passed away the way he lived his life...on his terms.
For those of you who knew my father during his lifetime, the following quote from a friend in college will no doubt resonate:
"He was brilliant, arrogant and fascinating. He could elevate your confidence, or thoughtlessly slash it with a few words, or a look. He could certainly be intimidating, but what I remember so well is that being held in his esteem was like being sprinkled with a bit of magic fairy dust. He looms large in my life, and I have no doubt that knowing him changed me...for the better."
Throughout Dad's final weeks and days, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him as a son, a friend and a journeyman, there to help him find his way through. While the experience was a gift for me and everyone involved, filled with love, light, laughter, tears, inspiration and healing, none of it would have been possible without the amazing dedicated support of the VITAS hospice care team. They tirelessly, compassionately and lovingly supported Dad and our family, creating space in Dad's final months for the richness of the gift.
So, now the work begins for the living to carry the messages and learnings of compassion, love, support and healing from this experience forward for those in our communities, our families and for ourselves ...
On March 9th, I turn 50!
Reflecting on the t-shirt my father was wearing when he passed away with the words "DREAM BIG" printed on it...it is with gratitude, courage and inspiration, and hopefully a whole lot of support, that on Saturday, March 7, 2020, I am setting out at 6am in an effort to walk 50 miles for my 50th birthday in 24 hours as a celebration of life and in honor and memory of my father, Dennis Simon.
As part of this journey I am seeking as much support as I can get...as no journey in life is possible without a team.
First, please come walk with me for as little or as much as you want. Send me an email through the GoFundMe link or send me a personal email with your name and mobile phone number and I will text you a description of my route and send you a link so you can geo-locate me throughout the journey and meet up with me wherever I am.
Second, I am raising money that I will donate in my father's memory to VITAS Community Connection in an effort to pay forward the benefits I received in my father's passing. All of the proceeds received by VITAS Community Connection will go directly to support patients, families and local charitable organizations in the VITAS communities. Your contributions could directly help struggling families with things like a wedding cake, paying bills and rent or helping family members travel to visit loved ones.
In loving memory of Dennis Simon, a man, and my father and to my next 50 years!
With gratitude to all of you for your support!
Hunter