siblings

Looking through photos, it's never easy, but sometimes I feel the need to find an old photo. 

It is hard to just go on celebrating holidays and the passing of time without remembering the years before, when the passing of time could be celebrated more simply, without the looming absence of the person who isn't here to celebrate it with us anymore. 

In this photo is my step-sister Chrystal and two of the three children she left behind. And our Lev. 

Chanukah 2006, I think

Part of an autobiography from Kalyn, one of Lev's best friends

Some of Lev's friends struggled in school after losing him as a friend and support. Kalyn relied on Lev a lot in school, and life, and was close to our family. Lev tended to push his friends to be the best they could be. Melissa has also talked about how he pushed her to take advanced courses. They made it a competition and then when he was gone she was stuck with a very challenging year ahead of her. Melissa had other losses too and got bad grades her sophomore year, which impacted her college opportunities. Fortunately, she is now doing well in art school in Seattle. 

I think Zay pushed Lev a bit, as they both planned to studying in Europe together after high school. Lev knew his grades needed to be like Zay's if they would make it to the same college. Zay is going to Lewis and Clark this year. 

Kaylyn ended up dropping out of high school and is about to be a dad. 

He has returned to try to complete his diploma at State Street High School, and this is part of his autobiography that he handed in. 

When Lev died we gave a lot of his things to Kaylyn, including his guitar and amp. They had always planned on having a band together. 

Kalyn's first band, in high school, was called Lev's army. He obviously holds him in his heart. 

A two year old tries to understand death

Liana has been commenting recently on Lev's death, and obviously trying to understand it.
The other morning at breakfast she said, "Lev died. Mommy cried."
Tony added, "Daddy cried too. He still does sometimes."
Liana replied, "Yeah. Lani not sad."
I explained, "That's okay. You don't need to be sad. You didn't know Lev."
She said, "Jaal sad. Jaal try to bring Lev back." "Jaal try."
And she gave a big, sad frown.

A couple days later the same conversation was repeated.
But, she added that Lev was at home.
I asked her, "What home, where?" and she couldn't answer, so she went back to the he died conversation.

She said, "Like the shrimp."
Every night hundreds of land shrimp spend their last hours on our doorstep.
"And we put them in the grass," noted Liana.

At that point I didn't feel it appropriate to explain cremation or burial, but she has seen many dead birds and bugs.

Liana is also trying to figure out if we were cows, who in our family would be a cow and who would be a bull.
"Melinda is a cow. Jaal is a bull."
It's interesting, and sometimes heart breaking to see her mind at work.

dreams, damn dreams

I keep having difficult dreams. Three nights in a row now.
The night before last we were in some sort of school watching Lev's class group's presentation, but we had to head back right after because Lev was in the hospital.
He was sick, but he had been sick before. We were going to stay with him there. I was worried, as he seemed pretty sick. I thought, "What if he doesn't make it? Why am I here at his presentation? We'd better hurry to be with him." And then I woke up.

Last night I was in some weird future world and they were upgrading the computer system. I saw a huge panel that was being moved from the floor I was on. On this panel, sort of like a huge iPad, were all our memories of Lev.
Through some glass doors, I saw Tony on the floor below. I yelled to him, "They're taking it, they are going to erase it." Since the panel somehow contained all our memories of Lev and they were about to be destroyed he would truly be gone forever.

Then I awoke.

The dreams coincide with Liana asking more about Lev, so either something weird is going on with both of us - something more spiritual - or I'm mulling over her comments in my sleep.

Rebecca

Liana reminds me of Lev

Today she wanted I wear a paper bag, while on the potty. Lev loved to dress up in silly things.

Warms my heart to see Jaal and Liana together

New Monteverde pictures from 2009

Michelle just sent me these photos and some of them are new to me. 

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tony and lev 1st birthday.jpeg

Three years: We miss you Lev!

Thanks to all Lev's friends and family for remembering Lev and keeping in touch. With his Facebook page and other grief blog I'm not sure where to post different things, but here is a story I wrote for Liana, to help her understand. Somehow we have made it three years, which seems an accomplishment in and of itself. It hurts and sometimes I'm not sure how we do it, but we do and Liana and Jaal continue to make us happy.

You had another brother. His name was Lev. He would have loved you so much, but he didn’t live long enough to get to know you. 

He was funny and loved to joke around. 

He loved exploring outside and playing imaginary games. He imagined whole worlds with his friends. 

But, one day he got sick. He was so sick his body couldn’t live any more. He died and will be gone forever.

His brother, mother and father missed him soooo much.  They didn’t know what to do. 

They still think about him every day. They were very sad, but their lives continued on without him. They ate, they slept, they worked, and they went on walks. Lev’s brother went to school and learned and made new friends, but he still missed his brother. 

Sometimes they laughed and sometimes they cried. 

Then, one day they decided that they would like to have another baby. Babies are full of love, and they could give a baby all the extra love they held inside. 

So, many months later they had you, and you were a happy baby. You smiled a lot and made them smile. They never forgot about Lev, and they still missed him, but you made them happier and they loved doing things with you. 

Lev laughing at Bumbershoot 209

Liana reaching out to the brother she will never know

One of the saddest photos I've ever seen...

..tony..

Reflecting on a Speeding Ticket

Yesterday I found myself going 40 in a 25 mph zone. I looked down at the speedometer, checked to see if there was a cop behind me, noticed that it was all clear, and began to cry. I wanted to get pulled over, to be brought back in time to the last time I got a speeding ticket. It was the spring of 2010, and it was my first ticket ever - really! There wasn't anything that memorable about it, except that many of those moments of my life have now gained significance. The day I got the ticket somehow reminds me of our old life, of happy days with Lev.

It was a Saturday, and I had a science training in Bellingham that day. Lev decided to come with me to Bellingham, 35 minutes north of our house, to hang out with his friend Grady. They were going to go "boffing" (that game they played with a large group of people and foam weapons in Cornwall Park). The plan was to drop him off at Grady's house and then I would go to my meeting. We were running a tad bit late, but I'd still be on time. Then, I took the turn off for the park instead of for Grady's house out of instinct. "Oh well," when we got to the park Lev said he knew a short cut to get to their house. I asked him, "Are you sure? I could just go back to the highway." But he was sure... Well, a few turns into his shortcut we were disoriented and lost. No iPhone, no GPS. But, we had a map. So I pulled over and we figured out where we were and how to get to Grady's house. I was running late at that point, but I wasn't upset. I remember feeling proud of myself for not getting my "undies in a bundle" and not being upset with Lev for getting us lost. We navigated together and got on our way. He was good with the map. After dropping Lev off, I headed to my training, about twenty minutes late at that point, and didn't notice the speed limit dropping from 40 to 25. I got pulled over by an officer waiting at the speed trap and received my first ever ticket. (Apparently I've lost my looks or sweetness.) Getting a ticket is a very slow process, as well, so I ended up about an hour late- a great model for all my teachers at the training.

I'm not sure why that morning sticks in my mind so much, or why I remember it so fondly. It was just a normal morning, but somehow I felt like I was being a good parent, and Lev and I had a really nice drive both ways. He was always entertaining to talk to, and it was nice to just have some mommy-son time to chat. I didn't admit to the rest of the family that I had gotten a ticket for a couple weeks. I remember Jaal asking, "When did you get your first ticket?" and being amused it had been just a couple weeks ago. I got a $125 stipend for attending the training, and the ticket was also $125, so it somehow hurt a bit less.

Part of me really wanted to get another ticket yesterday for going 40 in a 25 zone. It just seemed right- like it would be a joke from Lev. Maybe some day that dream will come true; it seems achievable.

Photo from Lev parent conference, 7th grade

Little Lev

socks post from Melissa

Melissa Renee Wilkerson posted on Lev Mann's timeline

"I just went to put on a pair of socks, and It made me think of this one time I was hanging out with Lev. He wanted to go do something, which meant I actually needed to put on shoes and socks. When he saw my socks, (they were little stretchy ankle socks, a one size fits all kind of deal) he started laughing hysterically because he just couldn't grasp how they would actually fit me. In between bursts of laughter he managed to force out "Those are baby socks!.........You don't have.....baby feet!.... what..... the hell!"  Now just because I wrote that story, I am reminded of another one... In 8th grade Lev and I were at some sort of meeting in the Library. Maybe it was about the Wasl or something, I don't remember, but it was a super serious meeting. Well he had his shoes off and I commented on the fact that his socks were filthy. He responded with "Like your socks are any better" so I said "as a matter of fact they are" and I showed him my neon green socks with bright yellow smiley faces. He just got this look on his face, it was sort of a mixture between defeat and intrigue, and he said in the most serious way something to the effect of "holy shit, there are smileys on your socks" He then asked if he could see my feet-keep in mind we are at a serious meeting- I was just like Lev nooo.. and it sorta turned into a silent wrestling match until I got up and moved away. Then he followed me and said "sorry I won't touch your feet" Just thought I would share those thoughts =)"

comments from Lev's cum file

Yesterday I received Lev's school file in the mail. They had emailed me to see if I wanted it and to give me a heads up that it was coming, which was nice.


It's the teachers who have your child all day that grow to really understand them.

From his fifth grade teacher comments: I appreciate Lev's insights and ideas in class discussions. However, he needs to work on his impulsiveness (wait his turn). I would also like to see more effort in his work.
---Mrs. Castor-Peck and Mr. Hester

From his sixth grade teacher: Lev is a charming and talented young man with a writing career ahead of him. He would read all day if I let him. He shares his writings and we are mesmerized at the word choices he uses. Academically he does well, but can be known to rush to get things done. Lev has a contagious laugh and his sense of humor makes me smile.
And at the end of the year, she added: Although you made me work hard everyday, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I will never forget you... you are an intelligent and unique young man, with lots of positive qualities.
--- Mrs. McCloud

Photos from Lev's school cum file

Fwd: Kick start Lev Mann

no comment needed...

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Date: Mon, Oct 8, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Subject: Kick start Lev Mann
To: Rebecca Goertzel <rgoertzel@gmail.com>

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A song from Jaal and Tony

Two years today

It's a sad day. Some friends and family are coming over to share memories with us.
Two years today.
Rebecca

First rock show

A while back, Seether was scheduled to play an all-ages show at the Showbox in Seattle. Both kids really liked that band, so I went ahead and got tickets. Lev was 11 years old, and it was going to be his first rock show. He was psyched! Well, at the last minute they moved the show to a *much* smaller venue, El Corazon. This meant it was going to be completely packed, which was definitely not my plan. When we got there we saw it was going to be a little crazy. We found some seats up front, in a semi-protected zone behind the handicapped section. When Seether started everyone went nuts and started jumping around. Lev was having a great time but was also a bit nervous about the chaos, as was I. But I did what I could to shield him and it all worked out fine. Luckily the security guys kept removing folks who were completely out of hand.

The show was really amazing, loud and tons of energy. Afterward Lev was glowing from the experience. I am sure he never forgot it.

One of my last, favorite cellphone photos of Snowy and Lev

I just gave this coat to Goodwill. I miss it.

Lev and Jaal Kayaking with Grandpa Ted

Lev and Grandma Carol

Lev was so gleeful.

Hiking to the snow at Baker Lake

>
> I remember this hike, up above Baker Lake. We happened upon snow, and Lev loved scampering on the rocks, off the trail, never caring to arrive at the destination.
>

photo of Jaal and Lev snowshoeing at ages 4 and 7

visiting the snow when we lived in Costa Rica

we came back to visit once in the winter while we lived in Costa Rica. The kids loved seeing snow. We borrowed coats from a friend of my mom's. In this photo Lev is wearing mismatched gloves and a girls coat.

siblings in the snow, always a good time

Lev loved the snow, like most kids

Lev's memorial site in Monteverde

In late December, we went up to the CEC and visited Lev's memorial in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Thanks to the many friends and relatives who donated to

the plant a tree program and to the Cloud Forest School memorial; it was a spot that Lev would have appreciated. He was very proud of the trees that he planted near the forest, and loved hiking the trails.

We gathered at the colegio, looked at some photos and talked about Lev's time in Monteverde. Then we walked a muddy 15 minutes up to the Lev's memorial spot with friends, with a small poisonous viper in the trail on our way up. The spot is near the Palacio de los Monos, and has a special fruiting tree planted near the sign. After sharing thoughts, Tony, Jaal and I stayed and had a moment, wishing Lev were really there with us, and spread some of his ashes around the tree. It does feel like a special place, but it definitely makes Lev's being gone more real.

Some part of me was really hoping Lev himself would be here, although I know very well he wouldn't. I just had to come, and go to the school, see his memorial, and connect with friends here who knew and appreciated Lev.

But, it has been hard to see friends for the first time since Lev died. Tears shed, or tears held back, but difficult for sure.

We are reminded of what a great time he had here. He so loved the forest, playing with sticks, climbing trees, chopping things, and walking outside in the dark. He loved bananas, fried plantains, going to the dairy for ice cream, gallo pinto (without much onion), and batidos with milk and fruit. Ages 6-10 just seemed a great time to be here. The world was open to him, he was free to explore and be himself. He was silly and crazy and creative and it worked for him here.

Below are some more pictures from Lev's memorial spot, and a tree that was planted whose fruits will attract monkeys.

Sedro-Woolley High School Lip Dub 2010

I don't really know why, but I was thinking about the Lip Dub freshman year. I kept thinking about Lev insisting upon hiding during his part of the video. I thought you might find it funny.
Look for Lev at 2:22

A memory from Grandma Carol

Thinking of you -- I have the memorial in color I carry with me -- I vision Lev shooting arrows at the banana trees with joy, exploring the woods, riding the horse, and sulking as he liked to do at times.

Ukelele

Lev played bass, but he did not really like it. Then he discovered the ukelele. It was the only instrument he genuinely enjoyed. Something about it captivated him. Makes sense, wacky instrument for a wacky kid.

He was a very fast learner. I would show him a chord once and he had it down. The first song I taught him was "House of the Rising Sun". He played it over and over again. He had a great little voice, always in tune, and he sang loudly as he played. He learned a bunch of songs on his own. My favorite was "Apple Blossom", he sang it so nicely. I think he would have been a great musician.

Milk

Lev loved milk. When we lived in Costa Rica, the dairy was right down the road. We would bring our empty container and they would fill it up with creamy, fresh milk. When we got back to the States the milk was a bit disappointing, thin and bland. Then we discovered whole, non-homegenized milk. Lev liked that better. Then we moved up to raw and grass-fed. Now we were getting somewhere! That was his favorite, it tasted "real". I miss buying him milk.

thoughts of Lev this last weekend...from Cindy

> Dear Tony and Rebecca,

> I wanted to share something with you.
>
> ethan and i had our first session with a hypnobirth therapist (who will also be our doula, we decided to have one) on saturday. I don't know if you've heard of them but hypnotherapists are people that help you get into a calm framework about labor and delivery so that you are more in control of the situation and can visualize the next steps of labor so you're not scared and hopefully won't tense up and slow labor down.
>
> she was having me do some excercises on visualizing the contractions (or what she called "waves") and she asked me if I had ever swam in the ocean. She wanted me to think about how the waves come and how to anticipate how they grow and get stronger and how you'll either let them pass or go underneath them. I told her until a year and a half ago i had been so incredibly afraid of the ocean that ethan couldn't get me in water that came up past my knees and I NEVER had gone under a wave or swam through one in my entire life. But that our friend's 14-year old son, Lev taught me how to not be afraid of the waves. i told her how he stayed focused for hours on helping me "master" this fear until it literally became fun for me.
>
> she was so thrilled that i had an experience to use in my labor that would help me. as happy as she was i couldn't swallow away the lump in my throat that came so quickly thinking about how powerful that time in costa rica really was. I didn't know then that I would pull strength from that time in a moment like we're about to have in bringing this baby into the world. I'm humbled by it in every way.
>
> i want you both to know how truly amazing of a young man i think Lev was. i will use that strength i now have while i'm laboring and i will visualize swimming under those waves with each contraction, and ethan will support me by reminding me of when we all did this together in the ocean with Lev... and this baby will come into a world full of a lot of love.
>
> ~Cynthia
>
>
>

Lev and Grady Build a Raft but the water is cold

Every Memorial Day weekend we would camp at Panorama Point, on Baker Lake, with Craig, Sarah, and Grady. We've known Craig and Sarah since before we had kids, but Grady and Lev became friends when we moved up to Sedro-Woolley. Grady lived in Bellingham and they would get together most weekends for the last two years to go "boffing" (fighting with foam swords). On these camping trips Jaal would hang out with the adults and go hiking, kayaking, hang out, or play guitar but Grady and Lev would be off exploring. May of 2010 they spent most of the weekend on a tiny island just off the campsite, building their own fort, kayaking over supplies, making up stories. In this video, which I think is from 2009,  they built a raft (with some help, I believe) and Lev discovered the water was cold when he tried it out. Grady never minded the cold, and he waded in to pull Lev back to shore. This captures the fun they had together.
It seems like with all of Lev's best friends he would do different things. Kalyn was his local buddy, hanging out at school, after school, playing video games, or whatever, staying at each other's houses. Grady was the weekend friend, boffer, sleep overs, eating bagels, video games, movies, and camping. Zay was his buddy for long imaginary games on the phone, almost daily, bonding in a really deep, weird way.  And then of course he had other groups of friends, but those were the three he hung out with most often and I believe the kids most impacted by his being gone.

Making a bow and arrow

In this video, Lev is working on making a bow while Jaal finishes eating. They didn't like being videotaped.

Morning in Monteverde

Time for breakfast (rice pudding and a banana) and a morning chat with the boys. Lev's favorite thing in school is recess and reading. Jaal is excited about recess because he's learning to drum for the Independence Day parade and he's writing a memoir about building a raft in Puerto Rico that he says is boring.

getting ready for a bike ride in Monteverde

Jaal and Lev are getting ready for a bike ride at our house in Monteverde.

Lev tried dog food and likes to say Butt

This video captures a moment in our lives in Monteverde, when we reached the top of a mountain on a hike (the tv towers). We stopped at the top for a snack, and to rest, and Lev ate a piece of dog food. This was also the time in his life when he was obsessed with saying "butt." Also notice that he hiked up the mountain carrying a home made ax.

Lev in 6th grade: I don't feel good but I'm happy

In the spring of sixth grade, Lev came down with what the experts thought was "viral juvenile arthritis". He was really weak and tired for about three months, including going to school for half days for part of the time. Then, he just got better one day. Subsequent tests showed he was fine. We will always wonder if that weird illness weakened his system, if there was something we could have strengthened, or if he was just susceptible to really rare illnesses. Anyway, as you see in this video, he took his illness in stride. He had a spirit and love of life that not many people can duplicate.

The four of us in the car on our California trip Jan 2009

During winter break we took a road trip to California and visited friends, saw San Francisco, the giant Redwoods, Santa Cruz, etc. In the car we would often sing together, with Tony on ukelele.
Driving with just us three leaves a big hole. This video captures the moment pretty well.

caminata

I was reminded the other day of walking the Caminata with Lev.
Every year the CEC did a 100 kilometer walk to raise money for scholarships. Milton walked 100k, the rest of us did one or two of the 25k loops, or some portion of it. I think Lev was 8 the year he first decided to walk a whole loop but he may have been 7. It was a hard 25k, on dirt roads (of course) and included some large hills, in and out of the San Luis valley. The year Lev decided to walk the whole way, Jaal and Tony decided to bike it. So, Lev and I joined up with another group of people and walked. We ended up on our own at some point because we took almost eight hours to complete it. We had a really nice time, stopping for snacks, Lev making up imaginary stories as we walked - no complaints.
As we got close to the entrance to town, nearing the completion of the loop, Milton came up behind us, with Jim on the support quad. Milton was completing his second loop as we were completing our only one. Lev really liked Milton, and the feeling was mutual.
Milton was the land manager at the CEC, and he taught practical environmental Ed classes, managed the greenhouse, tree planting,etc. When Lev stayed after school he would often do stuff with Milton, including the day when Milton harvested bananas and Lev ate about 12. Milton said that when we first came to the school, he was so amused by Lev's perfect Puerto Rican accent he would seek him out and sit with him at lunch time. Milton was also quite a joker. We had these picnic tables in front of the office that staff, visitors, and kids sat on for staff meetings or to eat lunch, etc. The picture of Lev writing, age 8, was at those tables. The were tippy and if two people sat on one side they would lift up and begin to tip. Milton found this endlessly amusing. A few years in I finally had them fixed, with little supports to stop the tipping, and Milton was so disappointed. They were so funny before, and I made them safe and practical. He had a lot in common with Lev, in the silliness of his spirit. A handful of adults really connected with Lev. He was a unique kid.
Lev was getting pretty tired when Milton fast walked/jogged up beside us, but Lev started jumping and hooting. Lev began running alongside Milton, chatting excitedly and ran the whole way back to town until the supermarket. He was so excited. He felt victorious.

Rebecca

Photos from cousin Will

>

From cousin Willy

One very clear memory I have, and I'm sure you remember this (if not, then Tony will for sure) took place during Ariel's wedding dinner. I was talking with Mario and we were interrupted by Lev breathlessly asking us if we knew what a 'portmanteau word' was. I think all he needed was the furrowed brow and he was off to ask Elizabeth - I don't think I even got a chance to say 'no'. Mario and I halted our chat and watched him go to every diner at our table, asking them the same question, his patience dwindling with each quizzical look he received. I could see him keeping some sort of score on his fingers and when I saw Tony shoot him 'told ya so' smirks, I realized Lev wasn't asking the definition for his own edification, he was keeping a tally of who in his family knew it. He was pretty exasperated by the time he conceded to Tony that not everyone there knew that, as Mario's smartphone told us, Portmanteau words are two words put together put together to make a new one. It was great to see how worked up he got over the issue, repeating, "How do you NOT KNOW what a Portmanteau word is!?!? Come ON!"  

birthdays

Today would be Lev's sixteenth birthday. I was really looking forward to teaching him to drive. I have nice memories of letting Jaal drive me to school every morning, and was hoping to do so with Lev.

Lev had lots of great birthdays over the years. Since he was a summer birthday it was often hard to get together with his friends. On his fourteenth he got together with a few friends- David, Kalyn, Grady, Brandon and they ate home made pizza and a cookie cake and went to a game place.

I remember on his eighth birthday we were living in Sybil's house in Monteverde. It was one of the few homes with a bathtub. Lev had Trevor and Eduardo over and they played in the bathtub for hours.

We were often visiting family and celebrated his birthday with Zeb's birthday.
Last year, we were going to be home, in between our camping trip to Canada and his trip to visit Zay.

Birthday foods- crepes for breakfast, home made pizza, pie or ice cream and a cookie cake.

a memory from his step Grandma Linda

Our Costa Rica vacations were a great time to get to know you all and spend quality time with Jaal and Lev. One time when you all went horseback riding (I think?), Lev and I were left alone at the beach for a bit. I shared with him how I was afraid of the waves and he told me I just have to dive right in and meet them head on . He was also my translator for restaurants and shops during this visit and both he and I took great delight in his greater knowledge and generous sharing of his language skills. (This was one of our first visits there when we went to the Pacific coast so he must have been 8?)

 

Our last visit there to the Caribbean coast my memory is the gift you guys gave Ted of the Spanish version of Monopoly, "Monopolio". We all played with quite intense competition going on for a long game (as Monopoly often is). Several times sometime wanted to drop out but we persevered with Lev accumulating more and more property and becoming more and more obnoxiously gleeful as he came closer and closer to being the last one standing. When he finally dominated there was a total eruption of jubilance as if he had won the Super Bowl and World Cup combined. It is great to think of him being THAT happy.

 

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This reminds me of that New Year's eve in Playa Flamingo, where the famous Monopoly game took place. The resort we were staying in had pools, tennis courts, etc. 

The boys would get up early and play tennis with Grandpa Ted. We were there for New Year's and the hotel put on a party. At each table were about five bottles of liquor and then they had a bar that served soda and mixers. There was music, dancing, etc, but the best part for Jaal and Lev was jumping or getting thrown in the pool at midnight. 

There were several New Year's in Costa Rica where we were all partying together, with friends or family, and then jumping in the pool at midnight. It was great to be able to share those days as a family.  When they were little it was so special to stay up until midnight and get to drink soda with caffeine. 

(Our worst New Year's with Jaal was when he was two, and we were visiting Tijuana. We got the dates mixed up and slept right through it.  We were confused the next morning when there was party garbage in the streets and everything was closed.)

Rebecca

Photos from Lev's Room

As we pack, Lev's room will be one of the last. Maybe I will start on his birthday, the 19th.
Although his things are all over the house - nerf darts, shoes, school supplies and school work, books, notebooks, coats, rocks, sleeping bag, snow shoes, skis and a lock of his hair - most of his things are in his room.

Attached are some photos.

One Year Anniversary Gathering

I'm glad we had a little gathering for the one year anniversary. It seemed to honor him.
I am thinking back on some of the stories people shared, and I wanted to share snippets of them below:

Chicken Mask
Jaal was playing a game called Assassin at the high school, where people are on teams, and try to shoot each other with nerf guns, while not at school. It can go on for weeks. Jaal lasted a couple weeks, and then one of Jaal's friends offered to buy Lev a chicken mask if they would let him in the house so he could "kill" Jaal. Lev let them in at the agreed upon time, and Jaal was assassinated. He wasn't mad, as it was part of the game. Lev was thrilled, he got to turn in his brother, and got a mask. He would have done it for free.

Fireworks
Last fourth of July Jaal and Lev took off together to drive up to the Skagit Reservation in Jaal's newly restored Datsun 280z to buy fireworks. Lev got a really good deal because a friend of his was working the stand. He was so proud of his fireworks. That night, Jaal went to a friends house, and we set off our fireworks in the backyard with our neighbors. Lev had a fabulous time.

Mumbling
Lev mumbled. He was hard to understand on the phone. It got better as he got older, and he really had to learn to annunciate for Debate Club. In third grade the other non-native English speakers were confused why they couldn't understand Lev, and the teacher said it was because he was speaking Levish. He would often mumble and then get mad if we couldn't understand him.

Switzerland
He dreamed of going to Switzerland with Zay. For college, or just to go, see the largest medieval weapons museum, be in a neutral country, I'm not sure why else, but they thought it was really cool and talked about it all the time

Carving things
Lev loved to carve wood

Mustache
Lev just loved his mustache. He started to grow it at about age 6, and it slowly grew in until it was a nice little fuzzy one at age 14. He was very proud of it. I think he had one before Jaal did.
He also loved growing taller. When he outgrew someone he was so proud. I remember the day he grew taller than Tony. He was jumping around, hugging him, trying to throw him down, punching his fists in the air, totally excited.

Devil's advocate
Lev liked to hold an opposing position to any argument

Keanu Reeves
In Costa Rica, with the band, there was this game going on for a few days, trying to fit Keanu Reeves into a conversation. The game kind of died down. Lev loved that kind of silly stuff. A few days later, we were on a giant rope swing in the jungle, where you swung out like 200 feet in the air. Some people held on for dear life, others trusted the rope and harness and released their arms and stretched out when at the apex. Lev was one of the last in our group to go. When he reached the top he released his hands and legs, stretching out all fours, and screamed at the top of his lungs into the forest: Keanu Reeves
He was the clear winner of a game everyone else had forgotten about.

The Power of Levity
The last day of school in eighth grade, the Honors English teacher read a story to the class. It was his tradition to write a story each year that included each student in the class and gave them a super power that fit their personality. He said that Lev was the most complex, and he had to strongly consider what power to give him. His power appeared at climax of the story, and it was the power of Levity - to laugh loudly at inappropriate times

From Lev's friends on facebook around the one year anniversary

Melissa Wilkerson

One time Becky Higdon, Lev and I were riding bikes. We decided to go to the park by the library. Lev tried to get us girls to ride the teeter-totter, but we wouldn't since it was soaking wet. So to solve the problem Lev sat on it first, his pants soaking up all the water on the seat. When Lev stood up he shook his butt at us, exclaiming "Look at my squishy butt!"

Keith Cooper

While teaching at Moteverde Friends School my daily walk home from work down the trail that led to your back yard found Lev ready and waiting to take me down with whatever make-shift sword he could find. This frequently led to long drawn out battles which he always won.

Chrisopher black

my favorite was all the great times in digi com and how he always made people laugh.

Shannon M Finn

The time he made the worlds largest rubber band and smacked me in the face with it numerous times. Then stomped on my feet. We got on great :D

Terry Matthews

back in middle school some guy was bein a jerk to one of levs friends and lev got so mad and shoved a table with three people on it, ya know one of those big tables and later on lev tried to make nice with the guy and the guy was like im sorry im sorry, ill never do it again

Sarah Curtin

Back in middle school, he used to play pranks on Mr. Ypma and narrate everything I did with his friend. I acted annoyed but it would always make me laugh. I never really got to truly know him, but what I do know was even though he didn't know it, he was a difference maker. And he still is.

Tanner Comstock

‎"When everyone turns in the assignment, that's a good clue that you better get started on it." -Lev Mann

Lacey Fletcher

There are a lot of memories with Lev I can think of, but I do enjoy the one were he told me he sent my phone a virus and when I read the message it said AIDS I couldn't help but crack up laughing.

Derek Laird

A couple days before he passed Dave Alberto and i hung out with him. Although i don't have a whole lot of stories of him (being that him and i weren't too close) i thought that he was pretty cool. I can fondly look back on that time and smile because of him. Wish i got to know him better.

Elany Corado

In middle school me and him would always argue about who was right over every little thing. Heh. It was a lot of fun because neither of us would ever admit when we were wrong.

Tyler Christian

8th Grade- We had a "Drama" class, he was the best at the game "If you really loved me..."

From Karen Gordon

Reeling back time, I came to conjure the little boy who was my last neighbor before we bought this farm...the little boy who I used to find hanging out on my cabina hammock at any time of the morning or afternoon, the little boy who regularly visited me to drink tea next to my wood stove (especially when he smelled something baking!), the little boy who always asked  if I would give up my rocking chair "just for a little bit" so that he could sip his tea, eat a snack, and tell me a story that he'd thought about in school that day. He said rocking helped him tell the story, of course!  My memories of the many 500-colon veggie burgers we ate that year at Dona Flori's are intricately connected to Lev...95% of those burgers were eaten with Lev across the table from me.  Lev was the first person with whom I ate homemade donuts (God bless Edith on those Friday afternoons), and he dragged me over time and again (when he wasn't a self-appointed delivery service) to sample Tony's post-school afternoon snack creations, which starred papaya milkshakes.  I fondly remember gazing out my cabina windows, seeing Lev on the roof of the car, gathering the moco-fruits at our driveway's entrance and then lying down on that same warm roof, enjoying his bounty as the dappled light, or light mist,  fell down on him. 

Lev was a scowler....but do you know what?  He never scowled at me....yes, I saw him practicing scowling,  but when his brown eyes met mine of blue, they glinted and crinkled into a sweetness and playfulness that tickled an indescribable place within my heart and brain at the same time.

I truly believe that Lev was the first little boy I felt like I really knew, and truly cared about.  I remember recognizing that fact during your family's  last visit to Monteverde, when we came over for a potluck with the band.  I saw Lev talking and playing with Christopher....at 2 1/2, all he wanted was to climb up and down the stairs inside your house.  Experiencing Lev, with his peach fuzz moustache, sitting next to me at dinner and asking me earnestly how motherhood was going, made my heart melt.  He quickly said, "Nice job, because Chris is a cool little kid..."....and then he joined my little man on the stairs again, playing, goading, talking, whispering, and giggling for the next 30 minutes.  Whenever I'd get close,  Chris would panic and say "NO, mama, this is MY time with LEV, please GO" . . .I fully understood the large, pubescent, no-longer-little-boy-Lev had my little boy wrapped in a tale of fantasy and adventure that would surely spin on into Christopher's dreaming hours that night.  I remember driving home to San Luis and commenting to Fabricio how much Lev rocked my world, how Chris simply fell into and wanted to swim in the space that Lev created, and what an amazing, bright, unique being he was.  For days and weeks, Chris would ask me, "Mama, remember Lev?"

Yes, I do remember Lev.  As if he were right here, in my living room, rocking on my chair and spinning these tales just for me.

Lev and Jaal with rockets

weaponry and rockets from Aunt Sue Ellen

 
The book on weapons
Once children grow out of the “little kid” stage in which gift giving consists of storybooks, Legos and games, it gets harder to pick something that they’ll truly like.
Being the mother of a girl, with Jaal and Lev it was problematic for me as our family’s gift chooser to avoid being placed in the lame-but-well-meaning older relatives category at birthdays and holidays.
Lev, in particular, was a challenge. His early fascination with weapons was something he did not grow out of. Though I wanted to get him something he would really like, the prospect of providing encouragement and war material ran counter to appropriate gifts from a card-carrying Quaker.
I envisioned future guilt should Lev grow up to join the NRA and Republican Party.
Medieval weaponry, swords, tools of the Ninja trade and fierce video games were Lev’s familiars. Of course, one can always opt out of picking just the right gift via money, especially appreciated as youngsters begin to understand the choices that open up with hard, cold cash.
I settled on things like an online gaming subscription and i-Tunes gift cards. I tried long and unsuccessfully to find a Metallica tee-shirt he’d requested (they don’t come in kid’s sizes), but recovered with a Metallica light switch cover. I caved with the book on weapons. Lev must have been about ten years old that Christmas. The books for children on the subject were way beneath his expertise. His downstairs Wallingford bedroom was an armory and he explained with sophistication on a visit there all of the armaments he’d collected. So I bought an adult book on weapons with lots of photos, drawings, descriptions and bits of history.
One summer when the boys came out to stay with us, we arranged for them to take a class in rocketry with our friend, Leonard Good, science teacher extraordinaire, the purveyor of loud noises and bad smells. The boys loved the day with Leonard, built their rockets and shot them high into the blue summer sky. A photo of the day shows Lev with an expression of pure pleasure on his face.
The winter before Lev died, as I perused PygmyList for family gift ideas for the upcoming holiday, Lev’s list included cash. Easy. In the space for descriptions of the gift wanted, Lev noted what he wanted the cash for. He said it was for his college fund. It stopped me cold. At 14, he was becoming an adult, planning for his future. One of the last gifts we gave Lev acknowledged his turn toward manhood.
I visited his room late last summer. It was in typical teenage disarray; clothes stuffed in the corner, shelves full of books and collected stuff, posters on the wall, memorabilia from his travels, a computer center stage; his personality everywhere. And there, lying on the bed, next to his pillow where he’d left it, was the book on weapons.

Aunt Sue Ellen (Rebecca’s aunt)

Lev memories from Jeana

Memories of Lev from Jeana Kimball, a family friend since before Lev was born

Tenacity, imagination, intelligence, curious

Levy in his socks, brown from dirt, stick in hand, yelling at the top of his lungs, under the clothesline at Sylvia's house

Levy up in the Monteverde  tree house yelling at unseen enemies

Levy engrossed in his book, unaware of parents yelling to get this attention

Levy waist deep in water inside of a canoe in a storm, off Playa Hermosa, laughing amidst the danger of potential sinking from a broiling storm rolling down from the north.

Levy joining Tony in exploring Jewish roots, odd stick hut construction in Monteverde home

Levy's fouled socks greeting all visitors upon entering GoertzelMann home

Levy  ferociously maneuvering the Trooper while sitting on Tony's lap; Lucas scared out of his wits, then surprised by Lev's talent for driving

 Levy with the gall to take on his brother and brother's friend in argument,  a formidable opponent, and refusing to cede an inch, even when Lev in error .  

Levy happy to interact with adults, plenty of intellectual content to share, non-ageist

Levy at the table with John and Jeana and Tony and Rebecca, holding his own on whatever topic, and always curious

Levy and Jaal with new matching swimsuits that unfortunately trapped sand in lining.  Both laughing at irony of fancy new swimsuits acting like anchors

Lev creating universes with a thousand words from a vocabulary of somebody 10 years his senior, in lieu of answering a yes or no question