DANIEL COHEN - He Touched Us! 4/3/77 - 10/23/07 7:05 PM

remembering

11-16-2008

I hope everyone Danny loved is prospering. Please keep in touch. Much love, Mck
* * *
Cami said- \"My mom and Chloe are doing fine. The last couple of weeks have been very hard for Chloe (since this is the time of year last year when Danny was killed). She finally found a lovely home for her and I & I; and my mom is living with them to help her. She actually had her house warming on the day she and Danny were suppose to get married this year... it rained so much that day. I am fine and my family is well. Isaiah started writing on OS again, but he has a new profile.\"

Worth Looking Up To

11-28-2007

I don't know where to start talking about Daniel & Chloe. Since I knew them they' were always together so much that I used to tell Daniel that telling her was the same as telling him something. When I tell people where I'm from about them it's like they can't even believe what I'm saying. I didn't even want to be in the mentoring program, I thought it was a bunch of bull honestly. I spent most of my life trying to be tough because where I'm from you don't get respect otherwise. I spent most of my life feeling like nobody cared about me or anyone else. Then I met Daniel & Chloe they talked to us like men & women and treated us with respect. They didn't care that I never knew my dad or that my mom is on crack or about any of that. They weren't scared to come through the hood to pick us up. They bought us to their home, fed us, gave us books to read, clothes, taught us how to act in job interviews, helped us get into college. Even though they not old enough to be they are the closest things to parents I've had in my life. I'm sad that Daniel won't be at my graduation, I hope he would have been proud of me.

Daniel taught me many things one of the best is that even when I'm broke and don't have anything "I'll always have something to give" Chloe has to be the smartest person I ever met and one of the best things she taught me is that no matter where you come from or what obstacles comes across your path you can get through it because "we're all constantly creating ourselves" Please remember that now.

Love,

Khalid

Knowing Danny...

11/27

I've known Daniel for almost nine years but I realized recently that I didn't really know him. I took most of the things that were so special about him for granted... perhaps I was too immature to apprciate them. Recently I began to see how special he was, how different (in an extraordinary way) he was from many people in this world. The things he was doing in our community were phenomenal.

I'm glad that he had Chloe who was able to truly see him and appreciate him and recognize how special he was from the first day they met. Many people go their life, without experiencing love and acceptance like that and I know that he gave thanks for such a blessing everyday.

May He Rest In Peace, as he lived in peace
May his good deeds live on as his memory will forever.

Thank You Daniel

10/22/2007

My deepest condolences go out to Daniel's family and friends. I didn't know him at all but feel like I do from his actions and the beautiful people who surrounded him. So many times I wish I could change things, I wish we were not there in harms way. I feel so guilty and powerless. It doesn't seem fair that the life of someone so special should be cut so short.

I was able to thank him for saving me and my sons that day and I'll never forget his reply and the sincerity in his voice when he said, "anytime."

I'm so sorry

Unite!!!!

11-14-2007

Danny said
"...I think when people get too caught up in whatever their organization is Catholicism, Marxism, Islam, Judaism, Capitalism, whatever it may be, they can become so loyal to their ideas that everything else has to be inferior, wrong or insignificant.

For a long time, the exclusivity of religion caused me to back away from it all together because I resented the divisiveness. It took a lot of growth for me to realize that my faith is mine and I can't let the way other people abuse religion for power or worldly gain keep me from practicing the tenants that feel natural to me.

True people of faith come from all backgrounds, in all shapes and sizes and have various beliefs and motivations-- so do oppressors. If people of faith band together they will always be stronger than the oppressors.

The problem is that too many abandon faith or feel powerless and fall into the crooked line because it's usually easier and more comfortable to go along with the crowd or do nothing at all.

There will always be people who are corrupt, who want to take advantage of others, that's when people who are conscious and good have to stand up, speak out and act against injustice...."

Danny as a young boy

1981

His mother wrote this in OS:
"Thirty years have passed faster than I could have imagined. It seems like it was just a few years ago when Daniel was learning to read. His favorite book was about fire fighters and after he read it by himself for the first time, he closed the book and said when I get big I want to help people. Like the fire fighters? I asked. Yes and he paused and said: or like you, there are a lot of ways to help people. I remember that day so clearly. I was in awe of my four year old son. Twenty-six years later, I still find myself amazed by Daniel. As parents we want our children to be successful, mostly because we want things to be easy for them. I am pleased that my son has done well for himself career wise but the man that he has become is what makes me happiest. He's caring, compassionate, patient, spiritual, intelligent, talented and still very grounded. He's the kind of person that people are happy to know, the kind of son that makes his mother proud, the kind of human that makes this world such a beautiful place."

I Want Change

unknown

So little contact....such a huge impact

11/13/2007

I never actually heard his voice but the few emails and private messages we sent on OS will be cherished, he spoke to me through his words. The love and compassion he showed for those close to him and humanity overall will have a lasting impact on me. Chloe is one of my closest friends and to see and understand the joy he gave to her life is overwhelming. I am so happy that she met him and was able to experience genuine and sincere love. Danny has changed my concept of love… he’s been a wonderful example, making me want to love more purely and deeply. Many people say those three little words, but how many can actually say they show it everyday in every action…he did. Danny will be missed but never forgotten… may his work for human kind continue on through all of us.

Respect His Legacy

11/13/2007

Many things come to mind when I think of my cousin, his peaceful spirit, generosity, optimism, his openness, his intelligence, his incredible sense of humor… I know that he was living his dream and was incredibly happy. I know that he would not want his love and generosity to stop with the end of his life. I know that he died saving others and that he wanted to save more people through the gift of organ donation. I know he would have wanted his family supported and taken care of and wanted nothing to be taken away from them. Danny taught me so many things and I'll never lose sight of what he stood for.

My Everyday Hero

11/11/2007

Just knowing Daniel made me incredibly happy. The way he listened, the way he supported and encouraged the dreams of the people he loved. The way he walked through this world with peace and a song in his heart, all the while trying to make a difference. He allowed me to love with my whole heart, without fear of having it broken. He appreciated and respected my thoughts, my ideas---my soul. He illuminated my life with his radiant spirit. He was an incredible human being, loving, generous, honest, open and caring.

One day I had a homeless patient with a fractured hip who was in so much pain that I had to cut his clothes off. I felt so bad about it knowing that he didn't have much and when I told Daniel about it he took clothes out of his closet and took them to the hospital and I was not at all surprised but still I was still (and am still) in awe that such compassion and love exist in this world.
He said it best when he wrote, " Fiercely loyal to those I love, emotionally transparent; I'm out there, in the world at large, for everyone to see. Make no secrets of what I believe, I hide no emotions.

Take no prisoners, and realize that some bridges are better off burned. I tell funny stories, abhor cowardice, laugh constantly and love intensely."

Thank you Danny for making me waffles, checking homework, trying to learn to garden, loving me, rubbing my feet, listening to my random thoughts, making me laugh, laughing with me, reminding me to make time for myself sending me love texts and notes, for the flowers, for writing and singing me songs... for giving me 'shelter from the storm.'