On the Anniversary of Simon's Passing

Our first year without Simon has been full of wonderful memories, discovery, sadness, smiles and hope. At some point we found the courage to get through unexpectedly dark days. Sarah, Mary Louise and I are grateful to have connected with many of Simon's dear friends this year. And we appreciate many donations in Simon's memory to the Santiago Shambhala Center.

Please click on the photo below to see a slideshow from the ceremony in Chile. In May, Dennis McMahon (Simon's lifelong friend from San Antonio) and I rendezvoused in Colorado to join Sarah to spread Simon's ashes. Judith Simmer-Brown led the three of us on a beautiful day's journey at Shambhala Mountain Center. The weather was glorious. Judith was our energetic spirit, enlightening us throughout the day. The sadness of the day was further lifted in a few comical mishaps and we are certain that Simon was bringing levity to the situation.

This week Sarah and I will spend time with Simon's very special community at the Santiago, Chile Shambhala Center. We will spend a very special day with his and our dear friends spreading his ashes in Cuncumen, the beautiful place where he had last year's Seminary and other Shambhala programs.

Simon is still with us. Some of you have shared your "Simon sightings" in a glimpse, a look, the moon, the wind, or a dream. We miss our brother and father very much and have enjoyed hearing of your experiences. I do not dream of Simon as often as I would like, but in my recent dreams he is in his next world and very happy. He looks like he did in our world, but I recognize him in many different ways.

Simon was a wonderful writer. In the coming year we would like to assemble a collection of Simon's writings, with a goal toward sharing them by the end of 2009 We look forward to continuing his enormous legacy.

We need your help! If you have a writing of Simon's (in any language) that you are comfortable sharing with us, we would be enormously grateful. Any format you wish to provide is fine -- copies of letters, e-mails, articles and poetry. Please do not assume we already have it. My contact information is below. I look forward to hearing from you. Much love to you all.

Juanita C. Luna
juanita.luna@mindspring.com
and/or

Mary Louise Luna
mlluna@comcast.net