What others wrote about Daniel

In the weeks and months following Daniel's death, we received many letters, emails and telephone calls. Friends wanted to console us, help us and give us encouragement.
This helped us then, and still does now.

Here, I publish some of the messages we received.
Scroll through them and see what a person Daniel was through the eyes of others.

Ich liebe dich...ich dich auch

By Rev. Gustavo Tozzo-Jaime

"Ich liebe Dich"......"Ich Dich auch"!!

And so it was that our encounters started....
I remember Daniel, with his beautiful little face looking up at his parent’s friend with puzzlement at first...
Amazing how children are so attuned to their parents likes and dislikes, and Daniel was no exception....just like my own children, he measured people according to how people loved those He, Daniel, loved so much...and I guess that he saw that my family and I really had a genuine love for his folks and sisters, and so we were alright with him...we’ve made it to His book of fame!

Such a giant mind in such little body... incredulous that a little boy should be so knowledgeable…he knew every capital city of the world, and would sometimes put me to shame, but with a twinkle in his eye when he saw the joy I derived from being beat to the punch....he truly was a little warrior.

We loved each other, and with a passion.... every time I saw him, I came close to him, and felt the privilege of touching on the heart of this little giant of a believer, who would pray for me if there was ever any need for me to be prayed upon...He would pray for my wife and for our son Alessio, and to him that was the natural thing to do, as if he needed to get another excuse to communicate with God, and so he welcomed the chance of sneaking another prayer heavenward! He’d join his hands, tilt his little head, and off he went on an adventure when he started praying...I always wondered if Daniel wasn’t actually touching our Heavenly Father’s heart, and aware of it, he just treasured the moments he could get by praying for others, in order to come closer to God!

When I was with Daniel, I got to his level, which in all honesty wasn’t that far down the line, and so I treated him as a person, and not as a child,(he seamed to treasure that), and we had this very special relationship that linked our lives to the point where for me and mine, it was a violent physical blow when he went home to his maker, and the grief remains, but the memories are sweeter than the bitterness of grief, so we cling to that.

Tears have many different facets...the salty-bitter and the salty-sweet, and with Daniel we had tasted both, though frankly speaking, the sweetest ones remain, and still taste good!
We remember Daniel's eccentricities when it came to his food, or his likes and dislikes, and how when things wouldn't go his way, he'd puff up his cheeks and pout his lips showing his disapproval, but also how he would use the exact same face to mock you when you were being naughty to him….and then he'd let the smile rip off of his face, and this little angel would light up the whole room with his joy.

One thing that assuages my grief is knowing that with all his "disabilities" on earth, he's got to be having the time of his life in heaven, where the only heart he has to worry about, is that of our Heavenly Father, and not his own anymore.

Daniel, my boy, Tengoku de hashaginasai!!!!! One day we'll meet again, and I shall kiss you, and tell you how much I love you…..but you already knew that, right?

(added Jan 25, 2003)

Memories of Daniel

By Rev. Gerald Goodall

The first thing I remember of Daniel is the way he used to put his head to one side and listen to the pastor's sermon. At our church children under elementary school age, go to another room for Sunday school before the pastor's sermon. But as I recall, for some reason, Daniel often didn't go to Sunday school and stayed with the adults to listen to the pastor's sermon. When we were at the Maruyama church building, I recall seeing Daniel's little head in between the adults and the tall backs of the pews. When we moved to the Miyanosawa church building, because the chairs were set a little more spaciously, I could see Daniel a little more clearly. Pastor Jerry's sermons which were addressed towards adults, must have been a little difficult for Daniel, but he was always listening seriously. It was at those times that Daniel would put his head to one side in his own peculiar way. Even as a child he must have had an inquiring mind, wanting to know more of the Truth. I don't want to ever forget this posture of Daniel. When man stops pursuing the truth, he stops growing. Especially we mustn't lose hunger and thirst for the Bible which is the Word of God that gives us life. This is what I learn when I think of Daniel. There is a Bible verse I'm reminded of when I think of Daniel putting his head to one side, listening to the pastor's sermon. That verse is Psalm 95:7,8.

"For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts."

The Lord does speak to us, "the sheep of His hand". It's not just a thing that happened in the past. God does speak to us "today", too. Therefore it is very important to keep the posture of our hearts to a "listening" one. Turning our ears to God's voice and sincerely listening. This I believe is what we can learn from Daniel. Thank you Lord, for making Daniel! And thank you Daniel for the way you inclined your ear to the Lord!

(added Jan 21, 2002)

A poem
I received this poem from G.G., who's son L. passed away in November 2001 at age 10.

"To Those I Love, and Those Who Love Me."

When I am gone, release me, let go--I have so many things to see and do. You musn't tie yourself to me in tears, be happy that we had so many years

I gave to you my love. You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, but now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must. Then let your grief be comfort by trust. It's only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be so far away, for life goes on, So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near,all my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home."
(added Dec. 2001)

The pheasentry

I have thought about your project and I would like to contribute to your book project with a short story about Daniel which I can remember very well. It is some years ago (maybe 97 or 98) when we met in July or August in germany for a little excursion to the pheasantry in Klein-Auheim. You had come together with Yuki and your children and we went together in 2 cars. As the weather was nice I put down the roof of my car and Daniel asked me whether he could come with me. I agreed and so we both drove together while you were following us.

We walked along the tracks of the pheasantry and showed various animals to the kids. All in all it was a fantastic day with beautiful weather and the mood was very good. After the visit we decided to go for something to drink.We went to the restaurant which is located close to the pheasantry. We ordered the drinks and I was surprised that Daniel wanted to have milk.

After the waitress had brought the milk, I thought to myself, that this amount would be probably too much for young Daniel. The glass (nearly half a litre) was nearly as big as he was. After a few gulps I knew that I was right. Daniel pushed
the glass away and did not want to drink any longer. He sipped a few more times and then he stopped drinking. He went outside with his sisters, because there was a small "merry-go-round" which he wanted to ride on. Considering he had drunk such a lot of milk, I guessed this action would have terrible consequences. We stopped the kids from riding, went back to the cars and started to drive home. Fortunately, this time Yumi begged to drive with me and I agreed. We hardly had gone a few kilometres, when I suddenly saw in my rear-view mirror, that you had stopped. I stopped the car too and I saw that Daniel was vomiting the milk and a little bit more over the seats of your car. This time I was very glad that it did not happen while he was going with me. You had to take off nearly all his clothes and rather naked he went back with us.

I can always laugh about this little story, whenever it comes to my mind. Such stories are of great pleasure for everyone, maybe not while they happen, but later on, because of their unique character. Everyone can easily remember such
outstanding events. They make our lives a little bit funnier and are easy to remember.

I always remember little Daniel as a child with good behaviour who never annoyed anyone. And I would like to congratulate you and Yuki on having such well brought-up and lovely children.
(by S.O., added Feb. 28th, 2001)

The kickboard

I clearly remember when we met your three kids on our first visit to Japan in 1997. You just came back from a trip to Germany and we wanted to go back to Germany soon. We all went to the favourite playground of our granddaughters in Miyanomori. The 4 girls (our two garnddaughters and your two daughters) played with various tools. They never stayed long at one place (the trampolin, the sand-box, and so on), but Daniel was only interested in the kick board. Even though it seemed to me that he had problems with holding the bar with his right hand, he continued to try to ride the kick board. He wanted to master the thing. One could clearly see that. Thus he did not give up. Most likely he has had a strong will. When I saw him again in 1999 - now I can tell you this - I was a little bit schocked. Besides the girls, who grew significantly during these two years, Daniel looked so small and weak. Not bigger than two years ago! He was so pale and looked so fragile.

Of course I didn't know how difficult it was for his little heart to support his body.
I think that he will keep his place in the hearts of your family -of course his parents, his grand parents and also with his two sisters. Surely you will be thankful that he once was a member of your family.
(by K.C., added Feb. 28th 2001)