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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Rhonda
Thomas |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Horn Lake
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State
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MS
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Comments
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Dear Eli
and Ben, I just know Santa is going to bring you lots of toys tonight,
I'm sure you need lots of toys, EVERYBODY needs lots of toys. Tom and
Jennifer, I will continue to pray for wisdom for the decisions you have
to make daily, please know that I will pray for Rachael and your entire
family also. As we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus in the morning I will be
thinking of you.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Sonya
Stickler |
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Email
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WVSon@aol.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Hamlin
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State
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WV
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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My
thoughts & prayers are with your family. I have been thru cancer with my
parents, husband & friends but never a child - I pray that God continues
to go with each of you during the good times and the difficult times -
it is a difficult journey but as you have learned it is also rewarding.
Keep the faith, love and support you are showing at this time.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Larry and
Bev |
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Email
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larodell6859@charter.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Saint
Albans |
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State
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WV
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USA
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Comments
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We are
praying for Rachel and for Ben continuously. Thank you for showing us
how to live in each moment, not in a holiday or other special day. Have
a blessed Christmas holding and hugging one another. As always, we love
you.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Aimee
Brashears |
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Email
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arbrashears@msn.com
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Home Page
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Comments
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Still
praying and believing in a God who is all knowing, all wise. Praying for
Rachel, praying for Ben. Holding my kids extra close, giving more thanks
for all that is around me...lookng at the thing that I should. I love
you guys. May His peace abound on you all. Aimee
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Comments
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Dear Ben,
You're so little, and so precious. I know that this must be a hard time
for you and your family. Sometimes it's not easy to understand God's
will in our lives. I've learned over the last few years, that it's not
always for us to understand. I'm very glad that you have this time with
your Mommy and Daddy, and that you're able to hold each other close in
times like this. I'm also glad that I was able to have a glimpse at the
life of a child with a huge heart. That's the important part of anyone-
learning how to love all the people around you, and learning how to
reach out to others. I do not know you, little one. Rest assured that I
will keep you and your family in my prayers.
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Comments
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Dear Ben
and Eli, Tom and Jennifer. I hope today is a great day togather for you.
I am praying that you have peace, joy and comfort this Christmas. I read
your story in the Herald Dispatch and again I feel blessed to know you,
even if it is just from your website. I feel at a loss of words but I
just want to say Thank You and Merry Christmas. BEN, I am praying today
and always for a miracle that will heal you and let you have more time
here on earth to share your story and impact more lives in the way you
have mine... Thank you Ben and MERRY CHRISTMAS BOWEN FAMILY!!!! I am
also praying for Rachel today..
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Holli
Bettenhausen |
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Email
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chrisb@nitechindustries.com |
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Home Page
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babyerin.org |
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City
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Columbus
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State
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Ne
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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I just
read your latest entry. I started crying, because it reminded me of my
daughter. I remember the day I noticed that she never opened her eyes as
wide as she used to. But she did what she could to keep our spirits up
by smiling at us as best she could. Its as if she was trying to keep us
happy, just as we thought we were trying to do for her. The grace that
God has given these children...Our prayers are with you, just as they
have been from the very beginning.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Tom,
Vanessa, Gabby, & Alex Molnar |
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Email
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vmolnar@midsouth.rr.com |
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/tn/alex |
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City
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Comments
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WE WISH
YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND MANY BLESSINGS THIS NEW YEAR!!!!
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Melissa
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Email
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mlavall2b@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Lewiston
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State
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ME
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Country
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Comments
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Dear Ben
and family, I’ve been praying for you as always. I just read the
wonderful article written about you in the newspaper. I especially like
the part where Tom quotes a nurse saying that she had to leave the room
when Ben was receiving brutal treatment, yet still remained his joyful
self and she said she had been in the presence of God. I’m at work right
now and when I read that I had to leave my desk and go to the restroom.
I was in there pacing and praying, pacing and praying, praying for
strength for all of you and for God to “shock the world” as Tom put it
once. Once I was able to regain my composure I was able to come out. You
know you’re story is touching hundreds of thousands. My sister is
actively very religious and I’m more to myself about religion. Although
it was awkward and uncomfortable for me, I e-mailed your story to my
sister. I know she and her husband will include you in their prayers. I
believe on of her fellow church members also follows your story. OK, I
just got an e-mail back from my broth
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Melissa
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Lewiston
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State
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ME
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Comments
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OK, I
just got an e-mail back from my brother-in-law and he will be passing on
Ben’s name to their prayer ministry. He reminded me that the sickness of
one (or sadly, even death) is to strengthen and save the souls of
others. I know that Ben is following God’s plan. I’m sorry to hear about
Rachel. She will also be in my prayers. Back to work for now. Believing
God and sending prayers and strength your way. Merry Christmas
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Wendy
Manns |
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Email
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mannsoh@aol.com |
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Home Page
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Comments
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Precious
Bowen family, thank you so much for your transparency and sharing your
struggles with us. You are fleshed out examples of God's strength and
His enabling to bear the unbearable. Ben, you have been used by God to
teach me and my family so much: the beauty of a life surrendered to Him,
the truth that we (and our loved ones) are not our own, the urgency and
frequency with which we are to pray, and the reality that every second
is a borrowed gift which must be savored. I will continue to beg for a
miracle of complete healing until "Well done, Ben, my good and FAITHFUL,
JOYFUL servant" resounds through heaven and the world. I love you
dearly.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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eric
meldau |
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Email
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ewm470@aol.com |
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Home Page
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City
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columbus
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State
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ohio
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Country
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united
states |
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Comments
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I just
want to wish your family a very merry and hope that u fill the joy in
your life these holidays through that brave,courageous boy that shows us
how blessed we are to realize the true meaning of christmas when we hear
of such a story like this of a beautiful,courageous boy.God bless
Benjamin and your family to find the strength to fight this cancer and
win this battle to live a very happy long life.I think your family
denies what it means to be brave and courageous to never take granted of
what we have beautiful in our lives.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Kristi
Haney |
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Email
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Home Page
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Comments
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I just
read the article in the paper. What a nice testimony of your faith. May
God Be with you on this Christmas Season. Love and prayers.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Marci
Connell |
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Email
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mac093@bellsouth.net
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Home Page
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City
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Valdosta
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State
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Georgia
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Hi and
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! As I sit here I am not sure how I even found your
website. My daughter had a teacher last year who's daughter had leukemia
and she always shares carepages with us. I follow about 30 kids everyday
and now they are like MY KIDS! Ben has touched my heart without even
meeting him in person. I also have my daughters Chastie-9 and Jennifer-7
following BENS STORY. What a gorgeous lil boy with a beautfil smile.
What a great brother in ELI also yet the journey I am sure has been
trying on ELI he has remained a trooper. What great parents to know what
is happening and remain strong through the pain and tears. I hope you
have alot of cuddling and love through the holidays. MERRY CHRISTMAS BEN
and I cant wait until the day I get to meet your cute lil face. Until
that day with lots of kisses and hugs, Sincerely, Marci Connell and
family
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Becky
Heffernan |
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Email
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ebheffernan@hotmail.com |
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Home Page
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www3.caringbridge.org/wa/edwardheffernan |
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City
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cashmere/North Bend |
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State
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WA
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Hi Ben
and Family! I just wanted to let you know how much Ben's story has
touched my life. Since getting involved with cancer in February 2004
when my husband was diagnosed at age 32 with a terminal cancer named
Multiple Myeloma, I have read many, many stories of childhood and adult
cancer. I have soaked up others feelings in an attempt to sort out my
own. Your page has left a big mark in my way of thinking, encouraged me
to look at the heavenly aspects of this gift of cancer our family has
recieved. Encouraged me to view it as a positive thing instead of a
negative one. Currently my husband is undergoing a bone marrow
transplant to extend his life. Our children, age 2 and 1, are healthy,
happy and absolute joys. I took 5 weeks off of work just to spend with
my family, supporting my husband, and it has been the best christmas we
have ever had, being able to spend it nonstop with our family. I cry all
the time, but the big difference is the feelings that pour out with the
tears. They are changed, changed by the beautiful liv
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Becky
Heffernan |
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Email
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ebheffernan@hotmail.com |
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Home Page
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www3.caringbridge.org/wa/edwardheffernan |
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City
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cashmere/north bend |
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State
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wa
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Country
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usa
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Comments
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by the
beautiful lives of the people around us, and the people we read about.
We have learned to treasure every moment we have together as if it were
our last, because we are reminded every day that it might be. That is a
gift. Again, thank you for sharing this beautiful web page, and the
wonderful life of your son, Ben. Becky
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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CARI
MCNATT |
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Email
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CMCNATT@MFBANK.COM
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Home Page
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City
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HERNANDO
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State
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MS
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Country
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Comments
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Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
God Bless you all!
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Sandra
Burdette |
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Email
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MAMIESAN@MSN.COM
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Home Page
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City
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CHARLESTON |
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State
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WV
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Country
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US
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Comments
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Tom &
Jennifer, My prayers are with your family at this time. Big Ben has
touched my life in ways that I could never explain. There are some days
that I'm afraid to open his web page for fear of what I will read. Your
family has been so heart broken, yet your faith has never been stronger.
You have touched my heart with such faith. As we are at the birthday of
Christ, may God's blessing be with you as never before. The gift of Ben
you have is more precious than silver or gold. May that gift always live
in your hearts. We also are praying for Rachel and her family. May God
also bless them in a special way. God bless you all and may this
Christmas be the best Christmas for love, faith, caring & sharing. That
is what your family has taught mine.
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Beth
Smith |
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Email
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itcbeth@aol.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Ceredo
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State
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WV
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Country
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Comments
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Tom, this
Christmas you and Jennifer are two of the few people spending the
Holidays in constant communion with the Father. I think of Paul when he
says without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.(Romans
1:9 and throughout his letters to the Church) My prayer is that your
brothers and sisters lift your family to the Throne without ceasing as
we worship our Lord and celebrate His birth and the gift of Eternal life
that brings us to His presence never to cease. Believing with you, Beth
Smith
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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MIKE
GODDARD |
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Email
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GOODDEALDAVE@MSN.COM
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Home Page
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City
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AUBURN
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State
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ME
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Country
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Comments
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Merry
Christmas Tom ,Jennifer, Eli and Big Ben Its 3:00 x-mas eve Wendy, lori
and I are about to drive to portland Maine to the Barbara Bush ward at
maine med where Karley went to be with our lord. We have got donations
from many people to buy gifts for the cancer treatment ward. My Wendy is
on a mission for all these wonderful children in that cancer ward. We
miss Karley so much. If not for the help and prayers from family's like
the Bowens it would be even tougher. Tom and Jennifer again,thank you
for being the most caring people Ive ever had the pleasure of knowing
and know that we pray everyday for Big Ben and Eli. We love all of you
and I pray someday Wendy can meet you guys. Please give Ben and Eli a
big hug from all of us.Tom and Jennifer dont forget to give each other a
big hug also. MERRY X-MAS ALL
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Tiffany
Borner |
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Email
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tkinser@mindspring.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Suwanee
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State
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GA
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Dear Ben,
In honor of you and the story your parents have told, I wanted to let
you know that your life has touched mine. You have taught me to enjoy
every minute of each day as we're not promised that tomorrow will be as
good. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Thank you for
making us all better people. Sincerely, Tiffany Borner and family
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Comments
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HOping
you can find some happiness during this holiday season. We continue to
pray for Ben and your family. Love and prayer's, The Miller family
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Shari
Ransbottom |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Cincinnati |
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State
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OH
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Country
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Comments
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Your
prayers are WORKING. Please keep them coming. Rachel is holding steady,
but she needs special prayer for her left lung. She is losing a lot of
air out of two chest tubes and her lungs need to heal. Her doctor said
he is amazed at her stats...but we know why they are good, don't we?!
Keep praying and we will try to get another update on later. She is a
fighter. I am amazed at how the plea for prayer travels so far so fast.
Thank you for all your prayers. Keep it up - it's working!
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Comments
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Praying
for little Rachel for a full recovery.... Praying for big Ben to feel
better..... Praying for the other family members of both of these
precious little children..... With everything going on I hope that you
find some joy in your holiday season. You are getting prayers from all
around the world please know that... ~Sending lots of love and hugs your
way~ Have a happy holidays or at least try to. Merry Christmas Happy new
year
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Date
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December
24, 2004 |
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Name
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Lisa Post
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Email
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LMPOST@cox.net |
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Home Page
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City
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South
Windsor |
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State
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CT
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Country
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Comments
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I
continue to check on and pray for your precious Ben. Tonight, I will
remember his cousin Rachel in my prayers as well. Though you do not know
me, I feel such inspiration reading about Ben and your faithfulness in
trusting God's plan. This is how we should embrace each situation God
places us in...to trust and soak up every moment using positive thoughts
and finding the good in every situation no matter how bleak it seems.
Ben's story...Rachel's story...we are all touched and so with that, we
are all ONE story. How that makes me smile. Christmas blessings and love
sent your way.
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Next
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