Six Degrees of Separation

Comment

Comment by Dianne L. Anderson on June 28, 2010 at 5:34pm

So sweet Jim. Thanks for the post.

Comment by James Gallagher on June 28, 2010 at 2:33pm

On Saturday night June 26, Janice and I were in Cape May for dinner at the Congress Hall. I noticed the recently retired Chief of Police of Atlantic City , John Mooney dining nearby and I walked over to say hi to him and his wife and catch up quickly on our lives. As the conversation about our children continued, John mentioned that his daughter is going to be a senior at Fordham's Bronx Campus. I then told him my niece was supposed to graduate from Fordham this May but she had been hit by a . . . and before I could finish he asked "Casey is your neice?" He and his wife were very familiar both from his law enforcement position and the fact he had a daughter attending Fordham. I called Janice over to their table and we all hugged and teared up talking about our wonderful neice. It never ceases to amaze me of the amount of people we talk to who know about Casey and are aware of the good deeds which are continuing in her memory. It makes me very proud!

Comment by Linda A. Burns on November 30, 2009 at 7:54pm

I have known Joel for close to ten years now and had "learned of" Casey and Brett, as they are two years older than my Ashley and Ross, when Joel and I would "compare notes and share stories" as parents. When I learned of Casey's death while in depositions at Joel's firm, my reaction was as if I had known her, and I don't think being a parent had anything to do with my reaction. I was so grateful that I had learned about Casey's passing in order to attend the Service the following day. I arrived at the Service out of respect for Joel and his family...I left the service feeling as though I had intimately gotten to know Casey and, in a strange way, felt connected to her upon leaving. I shared the experience with so many who are close to me, especially my children, and I continue to do so through comments on this site. While I've always tried to live my life with great conscience, I now feel that I have Casey's standards to reach for...and I'm sure she'll continue to inspire and empower me!...not only to set a good example for my children...but to just always be present for people in my life that I feel a connection with and foster some new connections along the way...and for that I am forever thankful.

Comment by David Koller on November 29, 2009 at 9:59am

This is a great group and I think it will continue to grow. I just sent a message to the group, but wanted to add a comment here about my degrees of separation. My connection to Casey is through her dad, Joel, who I have been fortunate enough to have met and become friendly with since the beginning of this year. Through Joel, Ive learned a lot about Casey. Ive also learned a lot about myself. Its really neat - what I have learned about my own emotions and feelings. The fact that Ive never met Casey (I was close to in May as my message explained) but have developed such a tie to her life and memory is a very telling example of human emotion. It makes me proud that, just naturally, I think of her and her memory throughout my life, and know that will continue. So, I like this group and the idea behind it because I think it is a great place for people who didn't know Casey to be able to share these kinds of feelings, ultimately translating into how Casey's life has helped us. Thanks.

Comment by Joel Feldman on November 22, 2009 at 11:42am

On Friday we attended a special dedication performance of the Laramie Project at our local high school. The Laramie Project was Casey's first play in high school in 2005 and it helped her become a more compasionate person , a more caring and considerate person. The 2005 cast was reunited with the 2009 cast and it was very special. The new cast spoke after the performance to the audience about the issues in the play- prejudice, hatred and redemption and hope for understanding and a better world following tragedy. They also spoke about how they were affected and will be different people going forward. The new cast members were too young to know Casey but several have joined the network and have been inspired by what they have learned of Casey. Six Degeress of Separation is the perfect group within which to speak of the ability of one person, through their example and the example of those that knew her, to positively influence those that they did not know in a way that fashions a bond between many many people. Jeff and Maria's comments and those of others who did not know Casey, but nonetheless were inspired by learning of her, represent to me that ripple effect of change for the better through reaching out to others which can become contagious. Each and every day I contine to be moved by the kindness and love of so many.

Comment by Marianna Schenk on November 18, 2009 at 6:24pm

I did not know Casey but I learned of her through my friend, Jeffrey Downs. He told me about her and how moved he was by her memorial service. He also told me how much Casey loved animals, which struck home with me because I also deeply love animals. I was really impressed by the concept of "because of Casey" - as I am a firm believer in "life after death" and how our most simple actions on Earth can affect others in ways we may never realize. I told Jeff that day that because of what he had told me about Casey and her love of animals, that I would increase my monthly donations to animal organizations. Since that conversation I have begun to donate regularly to three additional animal organizations which I did not previously contribute to. So, you could say that "because of Casey" and what I learned about her, not even knowing her, that there are animal organizations who will now receive ongoing donations from me that they otherwise would not have received. This is from someone who is three degrees of separation removed from Casey!

Comment by Jeffrey S. Downs on November 17, 2009 at 2:23pm

While I did not meet Casey in person, I learned of her love and spirit at her Memorial Service. I was extremely touched by how a young woman such as Casey achieved so much at such a young age and touched so many people in the process. In turn, she touched my heart, and I hope to touch the hearts of others as I try to be a more compassionate caring person. I believe I am two degrees of separation from Casey as Casey's father Joel is a Partner at the law firm in which I am associated.