When I first read that Robert Goulet had passed away--and from what cause--I immediately thought of Ariel,z"l, for I knew that he'd succumbed for the same reasons.

May Ariel's ongoing quest for learning and zest for questioning continue to be realized in the annual Ariel Chaim Avrech Yahrzeit Lecture. And may his memory indeed be for a blessing.

I am blessed everytime you share a little about your son and give me insight to his beautiful spirit.

Peace.

When I was little (3,4?), my mother took me to a Camp Bnos play, where they performed the Man of La Mancha. (That was in the days when it was still okay to do Broadway plays in camp.) The song still runs through my head every so often, although I've never heard it since.

I have been immeasurably blessed by Ariel's memory, even though I did not know him. I think of him every day.

Love to you both.

Jackie, Pearl, Joahanna, and Kishke, thank you for your comments. There is nothing like music to stir the soul.

i just reread the song's lyrics. and shivered. uncannny. for ariel it was a dream, perhaps, but not at all impossible - so much of it he made come true.

he is for me an unreachable star.

Dear Karen and Robert,

The loss of a child is unfathomable, isn't it?

Mourning ends but grief is forever. May the

neshuma of Ariel ZT'L have an aliyah!

I just returned from shul. Tonight and

tomorrow, Cheshvan 24, is Ben's seventh yahrzeit.

I looked up to his ner neshuma tonight before

davening and realized that though time passes by

"every today" must always seem as if it were

still yesterday.

I know there is a reason for your having heard

Robert Goulet's song when you did, which

stirred the thoughts you so beautifully penned

that I have just read on the eve of my son's

seventh yahrzeit.

Be well.

I remain,

Very Sincerely Yours,

Alan D. Busch

Karen,

Thank you for sharing this with us.

When I was sitting with, my sister, Gail, and the story was played on the news I got chills because I recalled that is what Ariel suffered from.

May Ariel's memory be a blessing and may we all have the strength and faith that Ariel was blessed with.

All the best to you, Robert, and family.

Karen, Thank you for sharing these words at this particular moment. One never knows how their words or actions will affect another individual. I am having a bit of a difficult night and thinking to myself that I should not be feeling this way and that I need to work on my bitachon (trust) in Hashem, but not knowing exactly how or what to do, I decided to go to the website. Baruch Hashem, just reading your words, reading and then thinking about Ariel, z"l, helps me so much. Thinking about how Ariel lived his life, helps me every time, to refocus and think about my relationship with G-d and my trust in G-d. So thank you and may Ariel's neshama have an aliyah in Shamayim.

Thank you for sharing this. Reading your comments these last few years has given me me strength. Thank you both.

Robert & Karen,

While I've gotten so much from this site, nothing has been more important than what I've learned from and about Ariel.

When I heard that Robert Goulet had been hospitalized and was waiting for a lung transplant, what came instantly to mind was Ariel's reaction to the attack on Sept 11. He instantly and instinctively turned to prayer. The image still gives me goose-bumps every time I think of it. While I was just sitting at home overwhelmed by the images on the television, this amazing young man was responding like a real man -- by doing something.

Thank you so much for sharing your memories of him.

I've been singing "The Impossible Dream" on and off all day today. Now I understand why.

Ariel was a gift to your family and an inspiration for so many of us. May his memory truly be a blessing - or I should say, may his memory continue to be a blessing.

Katherine, Sara:

Thanks so much for your kind and generous words. Karen and I derive a great measure of comfort and nechama from the lovely thoughts you so consistently offer.