Letters
Some people come into
our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for a while
and leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never, ever the same.
***
We are fortunate to have so many good friends who care.
Your letters touch our very hearts and give us great comfort in our grief.
Our heartfelt thanks to all of you!
C + H + S
| We were absolutely stunned when we got your e-mail a short time ago. We hardly know what to say except that you have our heartfelt sympathy. We just returned from four days in Denver and visiting with Pat & Charlie in the mountains west of there. While there, we talked with them about Florian and his tremendous enthusiasm for life. We have really admired him for his determination to overcome his physical handicap, and we have admired you, Carin, for your special parenting. All three of you are in our prayers. Our love, Bill & Sue May memories ... |
| We would like all of you to know how very much you've been in our thoughts and prayers during recent weeks. We can't possibly know the extent of your grief, but we love you all and feel the greatest sympathy for you in your loss. We've already said that one of the saddest things we could ever be asked to endure as parents would be the loss of one of our children or grandchildren. When we think of the years of loving devotion and guidance involved in helping Florian to deal with his handicap and to develop such a pleasant, positive, outgoing personality we commend you as exceptional parents! We wonder how Stefanie is adjusting to the loss of a twin, we've always heard it's such a totally biological, emotional shock. [...] If there is anything at all possible that we can do for the Göbel family, please let us know. Our love, Bill & Sue |
| Dear Carin, Hubert & Stefanie, we are so very sorry to learn of your loss. We wish we could be there, physically, to give support - it doesn't seem that a card could bring much comfort. We love you all and pray that your good memories will temper your sadness eventually. Our love, Kaye We grew to feel so very close to you all during our visit at your home. We are grateful to have enjoyed Florian's humour, enthusiasm and spirit. We also feel the emptiness his loss has left. Please know that his spirit is too strong to not still be with you. His strength and love are inside the three of you and will always be there to draw upon for strength. Our love, Michael |
| There are no words in any language to tell you of our sorrow for your loss. Whatever any human might say or do is less than enough, but you are in the heart of all our prayers and meditations. Please accept our deepest sympathy; we mourn with you. With all our love, Ian and Dale |
| Carol and I have no words to share with you at this most tragic time....we will only pray that peace may soon wash over your hearts and that your son's memory will be a blessing to those who came into contact with him during his young life. with support and deep bows to you both the Kaushansky's in Vancouver (Mel and Carol) |
| The Jewish Holy days will be coming this Friday night to Sunday evening...in prayers I will keep your sweet Florian in my thoughts....may his memory be a blessing. with warmest regards mel (Mel) |
| I am too devastated and upset to even respond at this time! My prayers and loving thoughts are with you all. What a wonderful child he was and how lucky you were to have him and he to have you, who allowed him to expand his horizons. I'll write more later. I wish I could hug you each right now! Sue |
| You have all been in my thoughts so much in the last 6 weeks. It seems that I never felt I had time to compose appropriate words. Tonight, I've just decided to plunge in and say whatever comes to mind. I know that you've thought of little else but Florian since September. I am SO happy and grateful that I came to stay with you in February. I so enjoyed meeting both of your children as young adults and getting to know you all better. Florian's sparkling eyes and winsome ways will stay with me forever. Also the great hug you coerced him into giving me before he departed. It is shocking to think that he is no longer with us, but so fulfilling that he had so much impact on those of us who knew him in his short life. You must be proud of what excellent parents you have been; how you encouraged him to be independent and to live to enjoy life. [...] Well, I'm thinking of you all often and will get this parcel in the mail soon. Take care of yourselves and hug and appreciate each other lots! Love,Sue |
| I am shocked! I can't believe it. I wish we lived closer, I wished three was something I could do. ... We will pray for you. ... Please let me know if I can help in any way. I wish I could bring him back. Much love to all of you Pam, Tessa and Terrill |
| I was so shocked at your news about Florian my first e-mail to you must have sounded so weird. I just got back from Ferns group and everyone was shocked. We are all very saddened by this news. We found out from Karl that you witnessed his death. Karl cried and cried. Tessa is also very, very upset and has been crying ever since she heard. I just feel so, so sad. I am so sorry. I wish I could be there with all of you. His pictures were very nice, I just can't believe it! We sent you many prayers tonight. We love you. Love, Pam |
| I have deluded myself into thinking that I will come up with something to say which will lessen the anguish you feel. I know that nothing will diminish your sadness and emptiness so I apologize for the delay. He was a wonderful young man - a ray of sunshine in the world! You are an excellent example of a family which bravely encourages your children to really live and experience the world! How fortunate you are to have had each other. Love, Sue |
| I cannot tell you how very saddened I am by the death of your sweet and wonderful son Florian. My heart breaks for all of you, such a shock and tragedy. He was so young, so bright, and such a gift in your life. There are no words to express my sorrow. I just want to put my arms around all of you. You are such wonderful human beings and such a wonderful family - I am sorry that this has happened. If there is anything at all that I can do I would be happy to do it, but please know that my heart, prayers, and thoughts are with you all, as well as my tears. Such a bright light has been taken from all of us - but I am so glad I was privileged to know Florian. With much love, Sharon |
| I was so sad to hear of Florian! I remember him as a happy, eager little boy while you were in Colorado. I know you treasure those two years together here. My thoughts are with you and Stephanie during this horrible time. Much love, Marilyn "May you find comfort in knowing friends care." |
| What can I say? Your sad news clouded our Christmas celebrations. I cannot even imagine how it must have been for you, except that I am a mother of a son and that life without him would be the ultimate test of my faith in God. I am so sorry ... I have a lovely memory of when you all stayed here so many years ago - especially of the lovely, quiet Florian who enjoyed every second of his life despite not being able to hear like his friends. You were so blessed for 19 1/2 years - I just hope and pray that you find comfort in the knowledge that you had a very special son and brother, and - wherever he is now - he is surely in the most special place. With sincere love and sorrow, Gail "Fear not |
| We are very saddened at the news of the death of Florian. We also loved him and will always love him [...} Aspects of his character stand out in our minds: His spirit of determination to make the best of life in spite of his physical handicap, his positive outlook on life, and his perseverance toward the goals he set make him a great person. Florian's life was an example of a determined spirit to overcome obstacles and achieve important goals in life. He was a "great" person. ... His spirit and example will always live on in our minds and hearts. May his spirit and example motivate others toward greatness! Love, Mike, Mercy & Paulo |
| Dearest friends, we could not have been more shocked to hear the tragic news. ... Whenever I tend to be depressed or anxious about the present or the future I look at the most recent photo in which Florian comes across in such a strong and positive manner and I reflect upon how he summoned the strength and courage to overcome his handicap and let his personhood shine forth ... and I feel strengthened and ready, once again, to meet all adversities. To me the name Florian has been synonymous with "flowering" and that is how I shall always remember him - as a strong, proud young flower, the promise of all things fine. ... I believe that Florian's spirit lives on; and will remain with us as long as it feels it is needed. When we are again able to "move forward" on our own it will feel free to depart. But the memories of Florian live with us as long as we are alive. The pain, the terrible pain will subside with time, but the lovely memories will last forever. Love, Ted and Dolores |
| Thinking of you with our prayers for your healing - what a great loss of a wonderful son. ... Please know that we also grieve for you and think of you with love. Jordan and Ruth |
| It was a terrible shock to hear of Florian and it certainly took a little while to take everything in. I am not sure if there is anything we can say which would in any way ease your pain apart from that we are thinking of you a lot and you have been very much part of our thoughts in the last few weeks. Although we met Florian only briefly, we were impressed how well he had coped with life and how cheerful and positive he was in his outlook. He came across as a warm and 'herzliche' person. It was lovely to hear how much he had achieved in his cycling and that he was very happy in what he was doing. It is very difficult to make sense of life and the world if something like this happens. ... Hanni, Robert and Fiona |
| I was absolutely stunned by the news. I can't begin to imagine your grief. To lose someone so young and vital, just entering his adult years, must be devastating. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It is said that time heals all things, but I doubt that that is true. Perhaps, however, your happy memories may eventually lessen the pain. Please know that I hold you all close to my heart and in my prayers. Fondly, Mary Ann |
| I have so many wonderful memories of the two years I knew Florian as a student. He was an outstanding, enthusiastic student and friend. I feel so privileged to have known and worked with Florian. He made my teaching day a joy. ... I know the pain of not having him with you must be unbearable. I will pray that somehow God will give you the strength to accept that he is no longer with you. He was a beautiful person. Fondly, Jane S. |
| I read Jane's letter about Florian and my heart broke for you. He was one of my all time favorite students. I remember how bright he was, how quickly he learned, what a good friend he was to his peers, and what a wonderful artist he was. Memories of a handsome, sweet son. ... Your memories of his bright light will always warm your heart. He made such a difference in my class and in our school. We loved having if only for a short time. I am so sorry. Love, Myra K. |
| When I received the letter about Florian's death, I was speechless. I couldn't imagine that happening. Florian will be in my heart and my memory forever because he was a great friend. Allison |