Simon | Things You Have Taught Us

Today I'm sharing a little project Katie initiated. We invited a few important people in Simon's life to share what they've learned from him.

Documenting the stuff that matters. This is it.

From Mom:


  • Simon you have taught me to celebrate and find wonder and awe in the smallest things.

  • Simon, your presence in my life has taught me so much about what it means to be a human: compassion, strength, resilience, kindness, humor.

  • Simon you have taught me to keep moving forward.

  • Simon you've taught me to believe in magic.

  • Simon you've taught me to embrace imperfection and to go with the flow.

  • Simon, I am such a better person because you are in my life.


From Dad:

  • That I can appreciate routine.

  • What is truly important in life.

  • What truly unconditional love is.

  • To see how harmful judgment can be.

  • Previously I did not know that I could experience so much wonderment over anything.

  • The value of routines and planning.

  • Just because a kid learns differently than the standard system accommodates, doesn't mean they can't learn.

  • So often he's capable of more than I had previously realized.

  • How much my presence or lack of it likely affects my own parents.


From Grandma Pati:

  • Simon has taught me how wonderful it is to be a Gramma.

  • Simon has taught me the excitement of running down the sand hills.

  • Simon has taught me how awesome it is to watch movies together.

  • Simon has taught me and reminded me how special a nightly prayer is.

  • Simon has taught me how fun it is to dress up for Halloween, even if you're a Gramma.


From Grandpa Al:

  • We need love. Simon has taught me to express love.

  • Simon has reminded me so often that we all are searching for something that we are yet to find.

  • Simon's smile is full of the warmth that God has provided. His ability to redirect his focus after insurmountable odds shows all of us we can adjust.

  • Tension is present in all of us. Simon exhibits his frustration in a simple straight forward way. Right or wrong it is Simon and in many ways it is all of us.

  • Simon has a unique gift to tune out the rest of us. Is it not a gift that we all aspire too? His ability to tune back in with motivation shows his interest to be relative within our family. God bless Simon and God bless our family.


From Auntie Liz:

  • He was the first one to teach me about the love of an Aunt for a Nephew.  And boy did/do I.

  • He has taught me to sit and enjoy a few kids programs on television with my own kids as a way of entering their little world and sitting with them for a while there in that world.

  • He has taught me the art of balancing pizza on three fingers while under consumption.

  • He has taught me how sweet a smile is when genuinely earned.

  • He has taught me about the importance of pirates, both in history and in today's world of "intruders" and what not.


From Auntie Jessica:

  • Simon has taught me about the unconditional joy that lives deep within each of us and it's the ultimate pleasure to witness him living those moments when his squeals of joy fill the world.

  • Simon has taught me about a love that transcends what most consider to be a "normal" mind - for in what may be considered by some to be a setback, he has excelled beyond my expectations in so many aspects of who he is. His hugs are better and more meaningful than most because they are 100% heartfelt and authentic.


From Jeffrey:

  • Power of concentration: how to concentrate on one thing and block everything else out especially as relates to Legos.

  • To act out any movie part spontaneously.

  • That the force is with him - when he was randomly selected to go through Jedi training at Disneyland and achieved a lifelong goal of becoming an honorary Jedi knight. I wish I could tell you how happy I was that day.


From Paolo:

  • Simon has taught me about paying attention and being aware of specific details. His memory and ability to recount stories and shows is amazing and has always impressed me and motivates me.

  • Simon also has taught me that sometimes we're just not in the mood - and that is OK! I really love that Simon is Simon and he is completely authentic - sometimes when I visit he wants to hangout with me and other times he doesn't - that's not only OK, its something I should remember that is ok in my own day to day, when I'm feeling my own moods.


From Katie:

  • Simon has taught me how special it is to find joy in the little everyday things,

  • Simon has taught me the worth of going just a little bit out of the way of your own personal convenience to achieve happiness for another person. Those smiles and hugs are so so so worth it.

  • Simon has taught me how special a bond can be between two people.

  • Simon has taught me how delicious refried beans + cheese + chips are.

  • Simon has re-taught me my love for The Goonies and Home Alone.

  • Simon has taught me there is always time to be silly and fun, even when you are supposed to be serious.

  • Simon has taught me to savor those big after school hugs he is just so good at giving.

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135 thoughts

  1. Jana Oliveira says…
    01/09/2013

    It makes me cry because as parents of Autistic kids I know it can be hard to have a kid that thinks different than what society expects but this is what I want at the end for him to feel loved, special and embraced the way he is his autistic self and not be afraid of that word because that word makes him who he is.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. jaimee h. says…
    01/09/2013

    again you have me all choked up!!! I love the way you let us into your world Ali. We all feel ever so connected to you and your family's stories and makes us realize things about our own journeys through this life. It really is so special how you let us in. Thank you again!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. rhonda nickol says…
    01/09/2013

    Thank you Ali for sharing this and making me realize the important tihings and people in my life,what they mean to me. And thank you Simon for being you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Stephanie says…
    01/09/2013

    Thanks so much for sharing this Ali, you and Simon have inspired me for years. I recently started homeschooling my 9 year old son who has high functioning autism and I was struck today by how much he teaches me, when I'm actually supposed to be teaching him. Your post was so timely and made me cry, but they were tears of joy. Thanks again.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sue W says…
    01/09/2013

    so beautiful Ali. Simon is extra special as is all his family including Katie. Thank you for sharing. My daughter is 43 now and has brought untold joy, love and learning opportunities (!) to our lives...wouldn't be without her. Did you take lego home from Ireland? xxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Debbie S. says…
    01/09/2013

    Good job to Simon for teaching all those things! Especially Home Alone. That is definitely one of my favorites, too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Dori says…
    01/09/2013

    i'm speechless. and misty-eyed. thank you so much.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. jen says…
    01/09/2013

    this is awesome...made me tear up!! i am definitely doing this with my kids and loved ones. thanks.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Julie {CalleLillyCafe} says…
    01/09/2013

    what a great idea! love this & will attempt to do same real soon! thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Stacey B from Australia says…
    01/09/2013

    Sitting at work reading this continually drying my eyes...beautiful and something Simon will treasure when he is older. What a beautiful authentic family you have Ali and I think we could all do with a little Katie in our lives!! xxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Lara says…
    01/09/2013

    *love* This is so awesome Ali - all kids are special, but sometimes our 'special' kids teach us the things in life that make our whole families that bit more special.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Natalie says…
    01/09/2013

    I have watched your journey through your blog, and loved seeing Simon's achievements, you must be one proud mumma xxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Jonnelle says…
    01/09/2013

    This is wonderful and beautiful! What a treasure. I'd love to hear Anna's list!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Cindy says…
    01/09/2013

    Thank you for this inspiration. My son was born with Down syndrome (33 years ago) and I think it would be awesome to include what our family thinks of him as a mini album. What a pleasure this was to read on your blog (forgive any misspelled words - I'm seeing through tear stained eyes).
    What a terrific kid Simon is and how lucky he is to have a family like yours.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Debbie says…
    01/09/2013

    I am so glad Simon has such a loving giving family. He is blessed, and you are all blessed. The measure of each makes it whole!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Shannon Mc says…
    01/09/2013

    From one autistic mom to another, thanks! Made my day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Mary in IL says…
    01/09/2013

    ...and Simon, you have taught me (through your mom sharing with us) that you are in every way a beautiful gift from God to your family and all those who know you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. mandyb says…
    01/09/2013

    priceless
    just love it

    arohanui all (big love)

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Lauren says…
    01/09/2013

    What an amazing gift, now and in the future.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Marilyn Nimmo says…
    01/09/2013

    LOVE this. My son turns 28 tomorrow and I'm thinking something like this would be perfect for him.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Camille says…
    01/09/2013

    BIG BIG Smile !!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Chris says…
    01/09/2013

    I love this, but my second thought was that Grandpa Al expresses himself elegantly, also.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Kristen says…
    01/09/2013

    So lovely and heartfelt. What an amazing boy. Happy Birthday Simon (a little early)!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Shereen says…
    01/09/2013

    They are all so beautifully said, but I think I specially love Grandpa Al, he's deep.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. stacie says…
    01/10/2013

    Ali, thanks for sharing. We too, have a son Simon's age with ASD. I think this is an amazing idea to do to document and be heartfelt with all of our "loves" of what he has taught us as we celebrate his birthday this month.

    Reply 0 Replies

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