We all appreciate everything that the team has done for us. The support has been overwhelming. Our extended family and friends are in awe of what has been done to care for us and express the community's feelings about the loss of our beloved son.
Eventually we will have to emerge from the cocoon where we have been hiding, and when we do-Peter and I will be honored to attend games and support the team. Matthew was so proud when he made the team-we would like to remain a part of the community.
With our love,
Matthew Mezza's family-
Ellie Peter and Florin
..are with you during this very trying time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
- With love and regards -
The Solomita family
Dear Mezza Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss
I will never forget matthew for he was a good baseball player and friend
This Baseball season is for you Mattew
YOU WILL FOREVER BE A VIKING MATTEW
Sincerly,
Gary Dixon
The Moore family sends our love to you. The whole Samo family is here
for you.
I have been thinking about you and your loved ones since this awful tragedy happened on Friday. I am so very sorry for your loss and I cannot even manage the shock and pain you must be going through. My heart and prayers go out to you today and always.
Sincere warm regards,
Jill Holmes
Santa Monica High School Parent
Our hearts go out to you, Ellie, Peter, and Florin on the loss of your beautiful Matthew. We always will remember him as the happy and charming little boy running around the house with his Legoland sword and shield slaying imaginary dragons. Jackson has been going through pictures of the two of them (of which there are many) remembering the fun they had together. We all are so grateful that you shared him with us. We love Matthew and we love you and grieve for the loss of such a wonderful young man. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Gleam, John, and Jackson
We are thinking of you and sending you the warmth and hope of family and community.
You have touched the far corners of this community and beyond. Your gifts and involvement has been extensive.
Matthews laughter and interests have filled many hearts. We are so sorry!
Now we are hoping to support you in any way we can.
We'd like to smother you in love and health and comfort and best wishes.
We are here to do anything we can to help you in this tragic transition and healing.
Much love,
The Tyre-Vigil's
We are so saddened. There are no words for your grief, but your family and son are in our thoughts and prayers.
Yours,
Meighan Metz & Family
Dear Mezza Family –
We are writing to share our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of Matthew.
As a single parent raising a 10 year old son here in Santa Monica (who currently attends Grant Elementary and avidly plays SMLL), I am touched by the loss of one of 'our boys,' for as parents, we are all in this together. I cannot imagine your pain at this time, and only hope that you are comforted in some measure by the many thoughts and prayers being said for you now throughout our community.
You know that your child touched the lives of those around him. He was loved, and he certainly must have known it. I am hopeful that one day that can be a point of celebration for you.
Your loss has touched my life, and to be sure, given me and my son pause, and cause to reflect on his life and his future. You can be certain of one thing: that Matthew's tragic loss will prompt a dialogue that will certainly save other young lives. I am truly sorry that you must bear this burden for all of us.
Thinking of you, and praying that peace will find you sooner than later.
-Sabrina Burton, and Wesley
Dear Mezza Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss, and cannot fully feel your pain.
The 2011 season will be dedicated to Matthew. Once a Viking, always a
Viking.
-The Altman Family
Ellie, Peter and Florin, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. How clearly we remember that wonderful dinner at the beach all those years ago -- the first time we met Matthew. We were struck by how smart and cute and lively he was. There are no words to console you, just as there are none to describe the magnitude of your loss. Please know you have so many loving friends.
-The Watenmaker/LaGuardia Family
To the Mezza family,
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for you on the loss of your precious son Matthew. We can only imagine how devastating this must be for you as there is nothing so painful as the loss of a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad and difficult time.
Wishing you Peace and Healing.
-The Phillips Family
Dearest Mezza Family –
At a time like this, there are no words that can begin to express the loss of a child. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Remember the love and laughter Matthew brought to you to help ease you through this most difficult time, and with each new day, let it be a day filled with love and hope to help carry your family now and always.
With Love
David, Kim & David Mijares
Samohi Parents & I House Student
Dear Mezza Family:
We are so saddened for your loss. There are no adequate words. Your family and Matthew are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Wizan Family
Dear Ellie, Peter & Florian,
We remember Matthew as that beautiful, happy blond boy, full of energy and life, running around Marine Park. We were just looking through old photos because Nolan needed a baby photo for school, so this news comes as such a shock. Though we have lost touch over the years, we have not forgotten you and our deepest sympathy goes out to you all. We are thinking of you, and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
With Much Love,
The Sieferts – Dave, Annette, Nolan & Casey
Dear Ellie and Peter,
The service yesterday was a beautiful and loving tribute to Matthew's all too brief life. Our entire family is thinking about you and sending you our thoughts and hope for strength. We want to add our voices here with the community to let you know that you are supported and loved during this terrible and difficult time. Both Aliza and Sean have great memories of Matt both in school and outside of it. As parents we know you dedicated your lives to Matthew -- we saw it on the baseball field -- and know that translated to every aspect of his life.
The McHugh Family
Dear Mezza Family
Although our family did not know each other, our children knew each
other. As parents, we know that there aren't any words that can bring
comfort to a parent when they lose a chid. We pray for you and your
immediate family and hope that peace will come soon for you all.
Please allow the comfort of knowing that so many loved him and that he
touched so many in his fourteen years. His friends spoke so
beautifully at the service. We will continue to keep Mathew and your
family in our hearts and prayers. The SAMOHI baseball program has
vowed to play the season for Mathew. We want you to continue to feel
the community love and support for Mathew and your family. We are
truly saddened by this tragic event.
Monica Hirschberger RN, BSN, CCM
MonicaHirschberger10@gmail.com
I did not know Mathew and I did not go to Santa Monica High School, but I am deeply hurt to learn of this tragedy. The sadness of his loss has reached far beyond the school and those who knew him. It is difficult to understand and almost impossible to face. However, if anything good can possibly come from this, let's remember Mathew and live in his honor. And let's make sure we do more to help others if they have any troubles. We can't let this happen....it devastates so many lives. Rest in peace Mathew. Wish you were still here.
- Maryam
Dear Ellie and Peter – We have been waiting for the right words to come to us and now realize that no such help is forthcoming. We are raising two teenagers and witness daily their struggles to make sense of the world and find their places in it. We were rendered numb and speechless by the suddenness and magnitude of Matthew's tragic loss. We didn't know Matthew or you until this past baseball season, but we enjoyed sharing the games with you and watching our kids play. Those long, cold baseball games create a bond between families. Daniel was deeply affected by the loss of Matthew and he will never forget the dramatic response from every corner of the community. It was very important to him to be part of it. He tells us that he was able to speak with you personally at the funeral, and we hope that he actually did. Just the fact that he expressed the desire to make this connection with you at this impossible time showed us how much it meant to Daniel to try to do the right thing to honor Matthew. He got the message that if so many people cared about Matthew and his family, perhaps there are friends, acquaintances, teammates, classmates, teachers, neighbors, relatives, and many others out there who care about him. Teenagers – and adults – often feel alone and our hope is that every person who witnessed the overwhelming outpouring of love and support for Matthew and for you will be able to call on that vivid memory when they need to be reminded that there are far more people who know them and care about them than they can possibly imagine. We have no doubt that that experience will contribute to saving other lives. Our empathy for you is impossible to describe. We know that while your lives have been changed forever, you will summon the strength to steadily return to being the same people who so many people love and value. Matthew's influence on the lives of those who knew him will be felt throughout their lives. Please know that our thoughts are with you.
Phil and Charlee
