Simon's family 

Meet Greg and Pam Simon of Virginia Beach, VA, and their children — Oliver, 13, and Mackellar (known as Mac), 12. I recently reunited with this family of four, remembering when they were just a family of three, and Oliver and his parents used to drive once a week from Melrose, MA, to take part in my ”Parent-N-Me” course at Fitchburg State College. “Parent-N-Me,” based on the teachings of the late infant specialist Magda Gerber and her RIE (Resources for Infant Educarer) guidelines, was part of my “Caring for Infants and Toddlers” curriculum.  

So, 12 years later, thanks to another family participating in the class, I was able to reconnect with the Simons and to meet Mac for the first time. I had been asked to demonstrate the Stonework Project at Clemson University in South Carolina, and decided to stop in Virginia Beach on my way home to see the Simon family. It was a joyful reunion. We talked about the class and raising children and the move south, and Oliver showed me his baby pictures so I could see how much he had grown — as though I hadn’t noticed. I, in turn, was telling them about my Stonework Project and how it was being introduced virtually around the world. From my trip to Clemson, I had a collection of stones in my car and, knowing first-hand the caring and creative natures of this family, I asked if they would like to try stonework? They were energized by the idea, and I was curious to try it.