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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Kathy
Hibbitts |
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Email
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bkhibits@verizon.net
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Home Page
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City
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Wise
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State
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VA
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Dear Ben
and family, I don't know what to say, other than we are praying
fervently for you and your family. You have touched so many lives with
your sweet smile and your loving family, and we are humbled by knowing
you. We love you, The Hibbitts family
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Sue
Fentress |
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Email
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123beach@belsouth.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Greensboro |
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State
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NC
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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I am sure
you already heard this many times, God is with you and your family. I
wish I had half as much faith as you have shown. I cannot say "I know
how you feel". I can't imagine how terrible it would be to lose my
child. She was always getting an ear infection or getting over one. I
cannot imagine the pain of her slipping away day by day and still have
your faith in God. I don't understand why He allows a child or older
people to be so sick. We always try to justify what happens in life, but
sometimes we just cannot understand. Two years ago this coming February,
I was going to have foot surgery. The day before my surgery my doctor
called to tell me that it had been cancelled. My thought was how could
he do this? He then told me I had lung cancer. He told me the oncologist
had already called a surgeon to set things up for lung surgery. No
cancer had been in our families, and I never smoked, so it was
unbelievable to me. Within a month of that time, I had surgery. It was a
Stage 111 cancer very agreesive. They removed half
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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bill and
kathy Colclasure |
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Email
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bcolclasure@bellsouth.net |
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Home Page
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City
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marietta
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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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Ben and
Eli's story has touched our lives in so many ways---we hold our own
grandchildren a little tighter and enjoy each time we have them over.
you are all in our prayers
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Crista
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Email
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Sahwvmom@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Poca
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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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As you
share your story with such openness I feel so blessed to even know you
just threw your words, Even though it would only be a 30 mic drive from
my home to yours I may never meet you here on earth But I am still
touched by you Ben you show a fight most grown men couldn't handle you
show it with Grace, Your family are so awesome sharing you with the
world when I am sure they would love to close you off to the world and
be alone with you yet they have allowed people from all over to come in
and be in this fight with you. Now when my son who is 2 said lets
snuggle mommy I do not say in a minute I say okay and set with him wrap
him up in my arms smell his sweet hair hold his tiny hand in mine I look
at his eyes as if I may never see them agine.Your Daddy ask to write
what has changed since I meet you well when My 6 year old said tonight
Let's talk about diamonds we talked about it not for a minute but for 10
I hold my son's closer and Love God Stronger. Thanks Ben for just being
you and Thanks Mom and Dad for allowing me to know
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Comments
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Just
checking in on Ben and I see no new update for today. I'm sure you're so
busy with those two beautiful boys. I hope you're having a wonderful day
Ben and you too Eli. I'm sure you two have a great time together. Just
looking at your pictures shows that. The smiles that are always on your
faces! Have a wonderful evening and sweet dreams to both of you! Still
praying for a miracle. God Bless the Bowens, Jeanie Balser
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Comments
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Dearest
Bowen family, I have followed the story of your Big Ben for several
months now, and being able to read about the courage and bravery this
little man has has been unreal. I work for the call center for St. Jude
in New Albany Indiana and I like others here want you to know that your
sons bravery and courage have marked all of our hearts in ways that are
undescribable. I mentioned this in another guestbook entry to you but on
Tuesday the evening of December 7th we spotted you (Tom) at the Grizzly
House and wanted to let you know that you are all in our prayers, and
then again on Wednesday morning of December 8th as you all were walking
into St. Jude Hospital again we wanted to reach out to you and let you
know we are all thinking about you and praying for you but we were
unable to. So please know that you and your family are in the hearts of
many many people around the world. Stay Strong, keep being brave, and
keep the courage in your heart because God is not finished with Ben yet;
still praying for a miracle that will truly give
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Comments
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Dearest
Bowen family, I have followed the story of your Big Ben for several
months now, and being able to read about the courage and bravery this
little man has has been unreal. I work for the call center for St. Jude
in New Albany Indiana and I like others here want you to know that your
sons bravery and courage have marked all of our hearts in ways that are
undescribable. I mentioned this in another guestbook entry to you but on
Tuesday the evening of December 7th we spotted you (Tom) at the Grizzly
House and wanted to let you know that you are all in our prayers, and
then again on Wednesday morning of December 8th as you all were walking
into St. Jude Hospital again we wanted to reach out to you and let you
know we are all thinking about you and praying for you but we were
unable to. keep being brave, and keep the courage in your heart because
God is not finished with Ben yet; still praying for a miracle that will
truly give the world something to think about
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Comments
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If you
remember a lady in a Red sweater and a lady in a blue sweater we were
the 2 ladies that wanted to reach out to you and let you know you are in
our prayers.... we are sorry we coulndn't. Stay Strong Keep Being Brave
BELIEVE
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
|
z
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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State
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Country
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Jamie May
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Email
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Jaylynmay@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Poca
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State
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WV
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Country
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United
States |
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Comments
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Dear Big
Ben, I have known you since July of this year. No I have never met you,
so you wont remember me, but just one time visiting your site and I knew
you. I knew you were strong and brave. I knew you were happy and fun.
Your smile in your pictures say it all. Your courage inspires me. I have
a little boy his name is Timothy Douglas, but we call him T.D. (for
Touchdown). He is 6 months old and I think when he is a little bigger I
will tell him the story of Big Ben and how brave he is. I come on this
website every day to see if you have had another great day. Some people
touch a couple people's lives in there entire lifetime. You my dear
little friend have touched thousands (or more) and truly believe you are
not done yet! You have taught me to never give up. As a christian, I
know that there must first be faith, but you and your mommy and daddy
and Eli have showed me that the faith a person can have is limitless.
Each day I sign on and check up on you I once again see that God is
good. I love you little man!! You are
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer - I promise that I will write you a note about Ben's impact in
my life soon --- I need to compose the proper words for a little boy
that has done so very much for all of us. As I sit here tonight and read
your update I am in tears. I know we have never met, but I feel like I
know you so well through your words. I wish I could think of the right
words to say. My kids (Jimmie 9 and Tommy 5) pray for you all every
night. Tommy asked Santa to make Baby Louie, Baby Ben and Miss Kim ok
and healthy. I pray that GOD hears our prayers. May God bring you peace
and comfort and a miracle. Dawn
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Stephanie
Jackson |
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Email
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stephaniedjackson@msn.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Wayne
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State
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West
Virginia |
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Country
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Comments
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My weak
faith and lack of strength and understanding are shameful when I see Ben
and his family's stength and faith. Ben and his family have shown me
what true stength and faith in God in a time of trial truly is. It has
given me perspective and tells me to stop feeling sorry for myself and
my family for this disability and instead be joyful in this angel that
God has given me for this time. Your testimony reminds me that I must
have more faith in God and rely on Him when I don't have all the
answers. I am thankful for that. I can't bear the thought of what Ben is
going through, but I do believe he has touched many lives and will
continue to do God's work through his testimony for many years to come.
You are on my mind often throughout the day... prayers and blessings to
you all...
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Comments
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In
response to your recent request in reference of honoring Ben in life, I
would like to share my experience of how Ben's story has impacted me.
Nearly a year ago, my family learned that my son has a genetic
chromosome disorder which has effected his global development and will
likely result in some form of mental retardation. My 2 and 1/2 year old
son, still does not speak beyond babbling and jargon, and I worry over
his future level of functioning. For the past year, I have struggled
with the question of "why?" and have even been bitter at times when I
have looked around at my son's peers who are without disability. For a
time, we felt like our world had ended...it's funny how one doesn't
achieve perspective in their lives until they truly see those around
them, and I must admit that, for a time, I was unable to see much of
anything except my son's disability.
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Carey
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Email
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soobig2@icqmail.com
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Home Page
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City
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Lakeland
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State
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TN
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Country
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US
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Comments
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Tonight,
I sit here at my computer and read about Ben's fight (just as I did
Little Hanna's and also Aaron's. I follow your updates and look at this
site every night... And Cry. The tears are shed for Ben, Eli, Tom &
Jennifer. Ben is too young for this to happen to. What usually takes a
lifetime for some of us to learn he has learned in this short span of
his life. I have a son and daughter who are 3 and 4 years old who have
went through seizures and asthma problems for one and pneumonia and a
lung collapsing on the other and I thought life couldn't get any worse
at that time. What I didn't know at the time is the children and parents
that are struggling to hold on to life by threads and the fight that has
and will continue until there is a cure for cancer. Because of the
children I have read about over these last few months and the tears I
have shed and the pain in my heart for both their and their families
struggles, I appreciate parenthood so much more. Instead of rushing the
kids off to bed because I need some downtim
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Karen Fry
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Email
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karen.fry@cchmc.org
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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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Ohio
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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I was
just thinking about you guys and wishing you the best. Hope your
holidays are smooth and uneventful and the happiest ever!
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Date
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December
16, 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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Country
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Comments
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I KNOW
that no matter how Ben wins this battle, that ANYTHING is possible with
God. Ben, you have inspired me to smile more often, yell less often, and
hug tighter and longer than I ever did before. You helped me pray harder
and more often, and you and your family have helped me to BELIEVE more
than ever. I'll always remember you and always love you, just for what
you have heped me acheive.
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Comments
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Good
morning Bowens. Just waiting for an update. Hope today is a wonderful
for Ben and Eli. Still praying for a miracle. God bless you, Jeanie
Balser
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Brandi
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Email
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Icesiss20@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Fairmont
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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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Hi I have
been following Big Bens story for awhile and I have wanted to write and
say that I am praying for your little boy but could never find the
words. I can't begin to imagine the pain that you are going through but
yet you and your family are so understanding and accepting of what the
Lords plans are. This precious litle boy has gone through so much it
breaks my heart to read the past few updates but I guess the Lord had
bigger and better plans for him. Ben is truly lucky to have such a
wonder family and to be chosen as Gods special child.
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Kim
Hellmann |
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Email
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khellmann1@fuse.net
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Home Page
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City
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Lakeside
Park |
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State
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KY
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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My name
is Kim Hellmann and I have followed your family for months as a result
of being a friend of Louie Hentz. You have definitely touched my life. I
have 3 little girls 7, 5 and 3 and I know that every day I have with
them is a blessing. I was not sure about my prayer life and I now
realize that I spend so much time with God every day as I read and check
the updates on all of the kids with St. Jude. I feel that the more I
pray for Ben and your family the closer I am to God. My heart deeply
hurts for everything that lies ahead, but I know we must focus on the
fact that God has a plan and someday we will understand. Love to You all
and a Big Hug for Ben, Kim Hellmann
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Carissaad
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Email
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carissaad@gmail.com
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Home Page
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City
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St.
Albans |
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State
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WV
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Country
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Comments
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I first
heard Big Ben's story last spring during a local radio station's
radioathon for St. Jude. Since then I have been checking on him as much
as possible. I have learned to cherish the time I have with God, family
and friends, figure out what truly makes me happy, "not sweat the small
stuff," and that it is possible for one person to change the world. I
know all things are possible through Christ and I pray for a Christmas
miracle for your family.
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Comments
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I just
wanted to let you (the Bowens) know that I've been keeping a very close
eye on little Ben. Although we've never meet i feel like i kno him.
Every morning my teacher and I take a moment to look at the updates. I
wish the best for you and pray a special prayer for Ben and Louie Hentz
( my cousin) every night before i sleep.... So much love, Jordan
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Comments
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I have
learned so much from Big Ben and your family: faith, hope, love,
compassion, strength. I am so impressed with your ability as a family to
reach out to others in spite of your pain. Because of Ben,I now hug my 2
boys and daughter more, laugh more and live more in the moment. I have
examined my own faith more closly and prayed more. I want you to know
that I see God in you Tom, in your words and actions. I think that is
the highest compliment that can be given, and my prayer is that others
will see God in me as well. I am praying for your family and beautiful
Ben,and I will continue to seek God's face on your behalf.
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Jessie
Richardson |
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Email
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jessie@cloh.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Scottown
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State
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OH
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Country
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United
States |
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Comments
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Big Ben,
I did not know who you or your family were until prayer was requested
for you at River Cities Community Church and your story was told on the
Channel 3 news. I began attending River Cities in March after being
invited to view The Passion, a very powerful movie. Now, I pray for you
and for your family every day and I have visited your website several
times each week so that I can check on what you are doing and your
medical condition. It seems that you are much more at ease with "your
condition" than those around you and even people like me that only
"know" you through your web site. Perhaps that is because of your youth
and lack of a sense of time passing and time to come. Your peace, smile,
happiness, and apparently undauntable spirit seem to be unexplainable
and beyond the explanation of youth though. I know that your family has
a lot to do with your joy of being. Your smile and attitude are
wonderful reminders and models for people of all ages. I have felt
honored and privileged to be able to see glimpses of y
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Crue &
Magda Russell |
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Email
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cruemagda@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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State
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Country
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Date
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December
16, 2004 |
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Name
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Traci
(Craft) Dalton |
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Email
|
traci.dalton@verizon.net |
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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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Comments
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Ben, I
remember when your mommy was expecting you. She was so excited and all
of us that worked with her were anxious to meet you. When you came to
work with her from time to time your presence brought all of us joy. It
was an honor to celebrate your life when you were born and it is still
an honor today. You have grown into a brave little boy. I am grateful to
know you and your family.
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