Where Do You Find Inspiration? Continued…
Friends of Zachary,
I want to thank all those who have submitted and shared personal stories of their own personal journey and the impact Zachary had on their lives. With their permission, I will share a few responses.
September 9th I received a call from administration offering me a full time aide position starting the next day, it seemed there was a boy starting school that was ill and needed an aide. I accepted so grateful since I was trying to get back on my feet. I spent 4 years believing my life was pretty much over, I was only here to raise my daughter. September 10th, I walked into guidance to shake the hand of a child that would become my “ANGEL”…
There was no getting used to the situation, there was no warming up period, Zach took hold of my heart that instant. Each day forward as I watched him come into the building with a smile on his face, never complaining, usually joking. Some days were harder than others but he never let it slow him down. I realized in those moments I was blessed. I didn’t have problems, and I have Zach to thank for showing me I had a life to live for. Even when he wasn’t feeling well he was always making sure I was OK. We had our own little world in that building. Then I introduced him to Sky and he made her see that there was a whole different side to life. To be thankful for what you have and to be more compassionate. Zach became a brother to Sky and she continues to hold him in her heart.
Being a part of his memory and achievements in Frost Valley will always be a push for me to never loose hope, and always BELIEVE. I look back at videos and pictures I have of him and remember a boy who was so strong and brave and taken way too soon from a beautiful family. Your courage and strength showed through him and still shows such a strong family bond.
I thank God everyday Zach came into our lives and brought his amazing family with him.
Love, Allyson and Skylar
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Zach was and still is my guardian angle. Every time I think of him I think of ; Willing, Kind, soccer, The Heat, And PINK! he had a bright and shining sprit that I will never forget. I have a lot of great memories of Zach but my favorite was when I was at the house and he and Matt were joking around, then Zach started to sing “red solo cup”… we laughed so hard! Getting to know him showed me that life doesn’t last forever. So make it count. He changed me in so many ways. And I will never forget him. He was an amazing boy with an amazing family. Love, Skylar
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While this is not in response to your inspirational request, I thought you’d really like to hear my daughter, Julia’s dream about Zach.
She was in class sitting at her desk, and at the front of the room was Zach talking to another student. She was wondering how he could be there and so as he was leaving she ran after him. She asked him what he was doing here and he said ” I’m not really here. I’m in Heaven now and I’m an angel. I just came because that person was praying for me and I wanted to talk to them.”
She can’t remember who he was talking to. I asked her how he looked and she said he looked like he did when he first started to show signs in the beginning, but mostly ok.
I don’t know why my daughters have been dreaming of Zach except for the obvious fact that he’s been on their minds-he’s been on all of our minds. So has your family. I see that Matthew is running track with Julia (hurdles!) and I wonder how he just goes on. I ask about him often and Julia tells me he is always with his friends, laughing and seemingly doing well. I don’t know how you and Dina are functioning. Your faith must be very strong. We pray for you all and think about you so often. I know we were never close, just kind of in and out of each other’s lives through daycare and then Waverly but this whole terrible ordeal has made us feel closer to you. I think the whole neighborhood feels that way. If you should ever need us for anything, don’t hesitate to contact us. I’ll keep you posted on the dreams…Love Danielle
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Zachary has taught me to hug more, love more and be more forgiving of my children’s “mistakes”. I encourage more nonacademic endeavors regardless of their perceived redeeming value. If my child wants to do it, that’s good enough for me. “Enjoy”, I say. Life is not perfect, we are not perfect. Life is short so I am trying to live it long; with hugs and kisses. Thank you and your family for being the heroes this adult really needed. Zachary’s love of Karate has prompted me to supplement kickboxing with a return to formal Karate training. Oss, Rob
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I have to be honest that you are the true inspiration to me in this whole terrible ordeal. Your dedication, your endurance and your open emotions are inspirational to me. You went above and beyond what many people would do. You questioned authority, your pushed professionals and most of all you made every day of Zachary’s life the greatest day ever.
I wish I had some better answers or stories for you. It is hard to find meaning or sense to this mess. I know when Jon’s brother died the only thing that really kept his parents going was that they had other children who needed them to continue on.
Being house bound and alone with your thoughts must be terrible. I wish there was more I could offer you. Every day that you, Deena and Matthew get up and face another day, that is true inspiration. Zachary’s legacy is you three and all of the people he touched who appreciate life just a little more. I know several times this year when we were stressed over the college experience all we had to do was think of Zachary and the entire Bernstein family to put things into perspective. No one is going to forget him. The Mandells
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How has Zachary’s journey inspired me?
Wow….Zachary was truly a part of this family and there are many ways he inspired all of us in this house. First, how brave he was. He never complained, always had a smile and a joke and always wanted to be treated like a normal kid. So that is what we all did. My kids were always commenting about how he always acted like himself, despite all the challenges he faced physically. I have been inspired by a mom by this as well. I will never take a moment for granted, I try not to sweat the small stuff and to enjoy all the moments that I have with my loved ones. I still wonder every day why any child, especially a wonderful child like Zachary had to endure this and be taken from us.
I don’t know if we will ever figure it out. I think we will all learn to love more, laugh more and appreciate each other and the ti me we have in this life. Not only has Z inspired me but your whole family has. You know that. We love all of you and miss Zachary terribly. As a family you are all incredible. You treated Zachary the way he needed to be treated (normal) and always kept your composure and never game up the fight. In the end when you had to focus on care, not cure you kept him comfortable and feeling loved. There are things about Zachary I will never forget. His humor is probably the biggest one. We had some laughs together talking during our car rides together.
He was a kind and loving child and never wanted anyone to be inconvenienced. When I drove him to PT he always insisted on carrying book bag himself. When I took him out for lunch for sushi and he didn’t feel well he didn’t want me to know. He was so brave and so strong. Zachary was and continues to be an inspiration. I hope what I shared with you helps you along this difficult journey. I know things will never be the same and we will always miss him. Love Michelle
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I’ve been meaning to share some thoughts with you, and hope it’s not too late. Over the years, though I often saw Zachary on the soccer fields at intramurals, tryouts, and eventually playing for his Travel Team, the one event that stands out in my mind every time I think of him is the first time he came down as a volunteer to work in our TOPSoccer program for children with disabilities. This happened to be one of those cold Winter days where I needed a “lift” from all the stress and pressures a soccer club president experiences when getting ready for the upcoming Spring Season. Zach is what I needed that day, and he certainly delivered. He was so full of desire to help and to work with the kids that came down to the gym that day. He was everywhere, retrieving soccer balls, passing and running with the other children, encouraging them to engage in the games, and smiling all the time. The look and wonderment in his eyes was priceless. It made me realize that what we were doing was so essential to keeping our community strong – the basic notion of doing for others and paying it forward. This one event reminded me of why we volunteer to help others, why we must give back to our community, and it gave me the inspiration to continue my involvement with the club for several more years. He will always be an inspiration to me, and will always make me smile when I think of that day. Regards…Guy
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Thank you all for your heartfelt stories and personal journey’s. I would encourage everyone to take a few moments out of their day and look for signs, opportunities and moments that could truly make an impact in your lives.
Yesterday is gone, live for today, let tomorrow be your inspiration and future.
Our sincerest appreciation,
Deena, David, Matthew, (Zachary), Molly.
“It Takes A Village”
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