Owen Gerson passed away on Sunday, July 27, on a rafting trip with his family on the Green River in Utah.
He was such a great kid and such a great spirit and everyone who knows him mourns his passing and sends their love and support to his family.
Please click on the 'comments' link below to post any recollections of this beautiful boy.
26 comments:
When I think of Owen, I think of getting squirted by a watergun in his pool. Or out of the pool. Or in the house. His wonderful, mischievous spirit will be dearly missed.
Owen's freckled face and sparkly blue eyes made me smile. His love of sports was contagious. Watching the Giants win the playoffs and superbowl together was unforgettable as are you.
When I think of Owen I see his eyes - big and warm - full of wonder, lots of wisdom and a little mischief - reflective of a very unique and special soul. As sad as it is to think of them now, and as much as I'll miss getting to see those eyes in person, I know that eventually it will be an image that when I see it, it will make me smile.
I hope that there are baseball fields where you are; that you can run around all day and play. And that you don't have to brush your teeth or do homework. I hope that where you are you meet wonderful kids to play with and you can laugh and skip and eat candy all day. I hope their is no pain.
You were a sweet fun and happy boy and we all were so lucky to have you with us on this planet for 8 wonderful years. You brought lots of joy and happiness to your family and friends and your memories and smiley face will stay with us forever.
I met Owen when he visited my class at NYU. None of us could keep from smiling as he sat at the desk next to his dad, shy in front of all the college students but excited to be there. There was no mistaking how proud Owen’s dad was to have him there, even as he paused in his lecture to lean over as Owen whispered to him. “The movie is for later,” Stéphane answered just loudly enough for us to hear. Only Owen could get away with asking what was on everyone’s mind that spring day. And only Owen could draw out the smile with which his dad answered the question. That brief exchange gave us a glimpse of the loving dad behind the professor, revealing a bond we can only hope to have with our children one day.
I'll never forget our fun moments at Houston Ball Field. I really feel sad that I won't be able to play with you anymore. I will always remember you as a great friend and I will miss you a lot.
Owen was my good friend.
He was the smartest kid in the whole third grade. He was even smarter than some of the middle schoolers. Me, Justine, Tyrell and Owen were in the ERF club. ERF is a card game that we played together at every indoor recess.
Owen taught me how to play good games like Racko and Apples to Apples and now those are my two favorite games to play at home.
I wish I knew Owen was going to die to I could have said goodbye.
I'll miss him very much.
Sweet Owen – school will not be the same without you.
I will always remember our PE bus rides together. You’d bust me up with your answers to the “riddles” – truly funny.
Thank you too for making Technology class such fun for everyone! Smart and excited to work on the computer – you always knew what to do. You were also a great friend and sensitive to your classmates, always eager to help anyone in need.
I’ll also remember how happy you’d be, traipsing through the Lab to go to Margaret’s. Your eyes sparkled – you were so happy to be going there to work with her.
Everyone misses you…
Wishing you and your family - love and peace.
I will never forget the time Owen and Lachlan made a pulley together during recess since we were studying them in science class. At first I thought , "What on earth are they doing with our jumprope?" As I turned around they smiled and said, "Hey Tasha, take our picture!" I couldn't help but think, wow! Talk about integration. We are being scientific thinkers even at recess! I pray that he is at peace, that he has loving arms holding him and has friends around him always.
Although we were not in the same class together, we were all part of the same second grade family.
much love, Tasha, Luis and Baby LJ
Owen was one of my best friends. I will always remember his big smile and blue eyes and the big baggy sports shirts he would wear that were ten times the size he was. I remember playing with him on the roof at little red Monday and Fridays (the other days he played with Lucas) He was in my first class at Little Red, Ek with Diane. Once we went to his house in Woodstock and my dad played monster with us. We watched The Pink Panther and I thought it was going to be a cartoon but it turned out to be the movie. My family is going to plant a tree for him in our yard. I’ll always remember Owen.
Owen's mood seemed to be remarkably consistent: Good. He was a happy boy and that made everyone better around him!
Whether it was teaching him guitar or seeing him in the lunch line, he always had a smile.
For me, as a Red Sox fan, it takes a exceptionally sweet kid who wears a Yankees cap to win me over. Owen did just that.
The past couple of days I find myself stopping wherever I am and just letting my mind wonder about your family. I can't imagine what you are going through but I send my love, support and prayers.
Julian, please know that after the semester I spent with your class I consider you family (its why I never left LREI!). I know words seems meaningless sometimes but I would happily say anything to give you even a little strength. Owen was lucky to have you and a big brother!
I am an eighth grader at LREI.
I went to finish a math test in the middle school math room and Owen was playing cards with Margaret. It was very hard to concentrate when such an adorable kid was laughing, having an amazing time. When I asked what grade he was in, he said 3rd. He may have been in 3rd grade but he had the mind of a middle schooler. He taught me how to play "Sets" and beat me at "24". I will never forget that sweet smile and cute voice.
Julian, if you ever need anything, I want you to know I'm here!
I'm thinking of you all.
Because of Owen's striking and brilliant mind and keen intuitive nature, he always left me with an impression of him being an old man residing within a child's body. I'm wondering if Owen wanted to capture the essence and innocence of being a child? I wonder if Monster is with you? . . . so many questions!
As I am sure that it is the same for many - ALL, EVERY ONE of my children's friends finds a place in my heart and in LOVE becomes a child of my own. Owen, I love you!
Zachary, Lucas, Neil and Dina send our very best wishes of love to you and your family and friends! :)
When we think of Owen, we see a sharp, witty boy who had no problem keeping up with the big boys. Often when we would go to pick Parker up at the Garson’s house, we would see Parker and Owen off on their own playing.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the Block/Gerson families. We are so saddened by this tragic loss yet we are also so happy to have known Owen and to have seen him mature... We will never forget Owen. His presence will always be with us.
Love, Jane, Klay, Graham and Parker Stack
I had the honor and privilege to be one of Owen's little league coaches this past spring. His presence and enthusiasm made the team better. He would always be running onto the field, eager to play ball with his friends. You can tell that he truly loved the game. He was a naturally gifted baseball player, and the other team knew it. 'Watch out. This
kid can hit', I heard one of the other coaches say to his fielders.
He had such a great attitude toward the game and fellow players. Not surprising at all, given his fantastic parents and awesome brother Julian who gave him endless support at his games. Owen, we will all miss you. We share the same birthday and I will always remember you and raise a toast in your honor. You are our All-star.
Nelson Young, Susie Maples, Brandon and Nolan
Owen's delicious scratchy voice and freckled face warmed my heart. I used to tell Alison he was going to be a real heartbreaker someday. He was an insightful and sophisticated boy who bought joy, pride, and laughter to his family and to the people around him.
We will forever cherish our memories of Owen, and send our prayers to Alison, Stephane, Julian, and the entire Block/Gerson family.
Kathy, Andy, Olly, Henry, and Eliza
Owen was that best kind of boy: into frog-catching, couch-fort building, water gun fights. We had so many happy times. I will never forget the last time we saw Owen, at the Woodstock Farm market the night before their trip. He was eating the biggest cookie we'd ever seen and it took him hours to eat it. He was so happy with that cookie!
We will miss Owen more than words can express. We will be with you, Alison, Stephane and Julian, on the long road ahead.
Peace and love from Rachel, Vito, Dante, Lorenzo and Rosa DeSario
In the one evening I spent with Owen last summer in Woodstock, he played a little guitar for me, had me watch Star Wars for the first time, and led a conversation containing the depth and substance that only a truly old soul could. How lucky the world was to have met such a remarkable child.
Peace and love,
Katharine Perry
Owen was such a nice kid and I miss him very much. He was so much fun to hang out with.
We would always make up fantasy football teams at Hebrew School.
He was a funny kid, when we were in Hebrew school drawing on our book covers he drew a jalapeno bridge.
It will never be the same without him.
Dean Ross
Safte45 said...
The time will come, Owen, when we will remember every precious moment of your brief life over and over. We’ll see you playful as a dolphin in the swimming pool, screaming when the Yankees scored the winning run, or magically absorbed in a rich, imagined world. For now, a fleeting glance is all we can handle.
What makes this “hour of lead” possible to bear is the presence of blessings even in hell. A child’s death is like no other. In tragedy people see how foolish disagreements are, and they remember what is most important. Family wounds are healing. Bubby (Bubster to you) and I have decided to marry. Friends have become the kind of family we dream about. They know they cannot take away the pain, so they bring food, do laundry, and stay beside your family.
Your parents and Julian are honoring your memory with great courage, kindness, and empathy. From your grandparents trying to be strong for their children to your young cousins and friends bringing the joyful sound of life as a counter to crying and Kaddish, each has given and received solace in your home that so reminds us of you. Mamoute too is doing his part to remind everyone that life goes on.
A hawk or maybe an eagle circled overhead on Thursday as all eyes fell on your coffin. Some of us felt the tender breeze that blew over your grave. We may not know precisely where you are, but we do know that few of us will ever touch as many lives as you have. Even fewer will leave your legacy.
There will be parents who will have learned from you the preciousness of the time they have with their children; they will become better parents. There will be children who will have had their hearts broken in such a way that they will always have a special empathy for others’ pain; they will be healers. We who remember your heartbreakingly beautiful blue eyes, your phenomenal capacity for bacon, and your tender, passionate love for your family, will make your memory a blessing by loving better, forgiving quickly, and by never taking what matters most for granted.
Some may think that a raft trip is a risk. We take our chances every time we get into the car. The biggest risk is loving. For all the pain that makes it difficult to eat, sleep, and take a deep breath, we will always be grateful for our time with you.
.
You wrote, “White is when you don’t make sense.” Your death makes no sense. It is up to us to give it meaning. May the pain of missing you make us better people. We’ll try to be grateful for what we had of you and we’ll keep faith that there will be a time to enjoy life again.
You have become one with the Mystery, Owen. I don’t know why you’re not with us, nor am I certain of where you are. What I do know is that the tear in so many hearts caused by your absence has brought a great awakening of kindness. That’s where we’ll find you, in the kindness of one to another. These sightings of you will help all who loved you to live.
All My Love,
Safte
Dear Alison and Stephane: You may not remember me from when I was at Little Red but I have fond memories of your wonderful family. I just want to extend my deepest sympathy at this time of your indescribable loss, My thoughts are with you all.
Jackie Brown
Dear Alison, Stephane and Julian,
As you know, at a time like this, words fail us when we need them most. But I wanted very much for you to know how much my thoughts have been with you ever since I received Malka’s phone call. I believe you are aware that my best friend Barbara Atwood lost her son Jacob unexpectedly when he was ten years old. Jacob had been my daughter Hailey’s soul mate since they were toddlers. I have a picture of Hailey pushing Jakie in his stroller. When Jacob died, he took a piece of all who knew and loved him with him. What I would like for you to know is this: Hailey is now 23 years old. There is not a day that she does not think of him. She often speaks of Jacob to me, and because he lives in Hailey’s memory, he remains a part of our world no matter where we go and no matter how long it has been since we have seen him.
I do not say these things to console, because I understand that consolation is, in some ways, impossible. I only want you to know that years ago, with Malka’s and Gay’s help, I created a healing garden in Jacob’s memory at Casa De Los Ninos, a residential crisis shelter for children. When I was last there, I noticed that the garden was not tended to. I would like to create a special place for Owen there, and plant beautiful plants, filled with color to honor both children and the children who reside there.
I was very moved by the letter your friend wrote about the house she and Owen created on their walk. I will try to capture this magic in the garden with hot pink iridescent flowers that change colors in the sun, and magical butterfly plants that move with the wind.
My heart is with you, and any strength, support, love, and an ear for listening is always here for you.
With all my love,
Pam
From Alexandra Zelman:
…then moved his plumes,
And fanning us, affirmed that those,
Who mourn,
Are blessed, for that comfort shall be theirs.
Purgatorio XIX 49-51
Alison, Stephan, Julian,
I have taken too long to write this, but I have written it over and over, in my mind.
I do not think much about the characters of small children. When I met him, though, I thought.
I thought: ‘I like the way he looks at me.’ I have been thinking of him over and over, first through stages of disbelief, and then in recognition, and finally thinking of him and of all of you, and of all of our deaths, and thinking that despite the poor fact that I cannot seem to find the words, I wish us all comfort out of mourning, joy out of sorrow, in memoriam, in remembrance, courage, the inhuman strength that we possess. “I must go on, I can’t go on, I will go on.” Alexandra
Dear Alison and Stephan,
I have thought about your family a lot in the past few weeks. A friend of mine lost her baby girl last week, and I keep thinking that she will have Owen to take care of her now. Seeing your strength at the fourth grade Owen day and the bench dedication was truly moving, and something I, as a parent, will always remember and have already needed to draw upon for my friends. Owen will always be missed, but his memory lives on in those of us he touched.
-Alison Relyea
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