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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Bonnie
Jefferson |
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Email
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PhiFellows@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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wv
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Comments
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Dear,sweet Baby Ben, Two weeks ago you sat in front of me in church in
your mother's arms. I watched you smile that beautiful smile of yours.
You sat there holding your little Mickey Mouse so peacefully that it was
hard to believe there was anything wrong with you. You looked healthy
and happy. After church you and Eli talked to me and you said to me, "My
Mickey" just as plain as anything. I touched your soft arm and held your
hand. You are such a special little boy. I could actually sense the
Spirit of the Lord surrounding you as you sat there with your Mommy. God
has given you special grace and He will continue to do so until you are
with Jesus in Heaven. You have touched so many people in the last few
months. God has a plan for you. I love you, sweet Ben. Love, Bonnie
Jefferson
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Bonnie
Jefferson |
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Email
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PhiFellows@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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wv
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Comments
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Dear Tom
(or Tommy-you'll always be Tommy to me:) I cannot find the words to
express what I'm feeling right now. When I read about you looking for a
cemetery yesterday, I just sobbed. I'm at work now and I can't stop
crying. I keep thinking of knowing you as a little boy. You were so cute
and Ben looks so much like you did. You were such a delightful child. I
still have a note that you and Heath Burdette wrote to me that said,
"You are my favorite teacher we ever had." I never imagined when I had
you in my first grade class that you would grow up to be the man of God
that you have become. I think of how you lost your Dad at such an early
age, and all the pain you've had to endure. I am so proud of you, but my
heart aches for you also. Continue to lean on the Lord during the days
ahead and let him carry you. You are a wonderful Daddy to those two
little boys. I love you, Bonnie
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Betsy
Rees |
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Email
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Betsy@cdiweb.com
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Home Page
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City
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Lakewood
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State
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CO
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Country
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80228
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Comments
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You son
has made me realize that strength has nothing to do with size, bravery
has nothing to do with age and love can carry us thru the darkest of
times. Ben has honored US by allowing us all to be changed for the
better by his grace.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Jillian
Bennett |
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Email
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CutieJill213@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Valparaiso |
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State
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Indiana
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USA
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Comments
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Having
the chance to meet Ben affected my life in so many ways. He's such an
inspiration to everyone around him...he's inspired me to look at life in
a different perspective and live life to the fullest. I plan on studying
pediatric oncology in college and hope to be a part of St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital one day so I can be inspired by children
like Ben, everyday. Ben is so strong and lives in the moment, which I
didn't do until I met him. I never thought a little boy could ever be so
amazing...I feel blessed to know him and he will always hold a special
place in my heart. Even though Ben may not remember the tens of
thousands of people he's met or touched their lives in some way, each
and every person will remember him, always! Thank you Ben Bowen for
being the person you are!
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Bonnie
Jefferson |
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Email
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PhiFellows@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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wv
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Comments
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Dear
Jennifer, As one mother to another, my heart is aching for you. I keep
thinking of when I first met you and you were a young MU student in
speech path.and you became my student teacher, and we talked about how I
was your husband's first grade teacher. Our friendship grew and I
remember when you found out you were pregnant with Eli. How exciting and
when he was born, I came to your house and held him. He looked like a
little red-headed Tommy! Then I remember when Ben was born 2 years ago,
and how we laughed about both of us having 2 boys. I remember keeping
Ben in the nursery at church and what a good baby he was. I remember one
particular Sunday that he sat in one of those walkers and just sat there
and smiled the whole time. He never cried. As I think back on my two
sons and what they were like at that age, I can't even imagine getting
the news that you all did last March. How you have dealt with all of
this is truly amazing and inspiring. As I watched you holding Ben in
church two weeks ago, my heart was filled with so much
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Bridget P
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Woodridge
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State
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IL
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USA
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Comments
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What on
Earth to say? Words really are inadequate at such times. There aren't
any in our language that can convey the message I would like to send to
you Ben. So, listen to your heart, little man. God speaks to you from
there. God has given you all that you need, and it is right there in
your heart. Just listen. And I will try to do the same.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Tonya
Adams |
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Email
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Rebl76@bellsouth.net
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Home Page
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City
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Athens
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State
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Alabama
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Dear
Bowen Family, I found this site through a link for little baby Helen
Garner. As I have told her family, your faith and courage is beyond my
imagination. I get irritated when my children get more than one ear
infection in a year...and look at you. You are such an inspiration to us
all. I have two beautiful, healthy, happy children and you have made me
cherish them even more than before...and I never thought that was
possible. I fear that if I weer in your shoes, my faith would seriously
be shaken, but yours seems to grow stronger and stronger. That is such a
powerful message. I want to thank you so much for sharing your personal
journey and struggles with all of us, complete strangers. I pray for you
daily and you have made me realize just how blessed I truly am. We take
so much for granted in our life here on earth. Thre are days I have
thought...if I could just have one moment of peace and quiet, all would
be good. You have shown me that some people get that peace and quiet at
a great expense. Now I cherish every
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Nibor
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Email
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Home Page
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Comments
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God
bless...Eli take care of mommy
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Bonnie
Jefferson |
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Email
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PhiFellows@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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wv
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Country
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Comments
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Continued
for Jennifer.... My heart was filled with so much love for you. While we
may never know all the reasons for Ben's sickness, we do know that God
is good (I've heard you say that many times.) and we know that His ways
are not our ways. We also know that he will carry you through everything
that lies ahead. I keep thinking of Steven Curtis Chapman's song: "His
strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we
can't carry on." and we know that He will do that. You are in my
constant thoughts and prayers. I love you dearly. Love, Bonnie
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Comments
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Hello
Bowen Family! You may not remember us. We met you while we were at St
Jude's. My daughter Victoria has a craniopharnygioma and received
radiation treatment during August and September. Julie introduced us. I
have kept up with you all by using the internet address on the card Tom
gave me that day in the hallway outside of recovery. We are from
Oklahoma. Isn't it funny how our little "heroes" bring us from all walks
of life together. We were so touched by your story. Tom told my mother
that we should all hope that one day we will pray St. Jude right out of
business. This is my hope and my prayer. We met so many people that
touched our lives. I asked our home church to say a specific prayer for
Ben and all of you. I understand that God's will is what is best for us
even when we don't understand. I think as parents of children who have
had to fight for their lives we have a different perspective. We no
longer cry at the "firsts" like the first day of school, or first steps.
We rejoice in the fact that they ar
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Tonya
Adams-part 2 |
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Email
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Rebl76@bellsouth.net
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Home Page
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City
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Athens
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State
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Alabama
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Now I
cherish every moment...the laughing, crying, screaming, and sweet
whispering in my ears. Thank you so much. You will remain in my prayers
and your story will remain in my heart. Merry Christmas Big Ben and may
God continue to bless you all.
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Comments
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Hello
Ben! I am Mike. I live in Ft.Worth, Tx. A good friend of mine, who also
had a daughter (Micah), in St. Jude's sent me your website address. I
was so moved and touched when I read about you. I work in a prayer
ministry of a company that loves Jesus and whose philosophy is based on
biblical principles. You are on the prayer list of this company. We are
praying for you! God loves you, litte sweet Ben!
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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April
Jones |
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Email
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aprilmay8@juno.com
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Home Page
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City
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Southaven
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State
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MS
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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I heard
through a friend, Sarah Barker, that you guys need some extra prayers,
and I just wanted you to know that we will be sending some up on your
behalf, and I will put you on our prayer list at church, if that's ok.
My 3 yo little boy had cancer too, so I understand how you must feel,
and I will be praying that God will give you all strength and healing
ASAP. yours truly, April
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Comments
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my
prayers are with you and your family. rachelle bibbs my daugther is a
patient at st judes. she wants me to tell your family that she's praying
for ben and the family. rachelle said that she remembers the smile on
ben's face every time she saw him.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Amanda
Pauley |
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Email
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apaul@stonemor.com
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Home Page
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City
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Cross
Lanes |
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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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The way
that I learned of Ben and his story is when his Mommy and Daddy called
White Chapel to see about making arrangements. That was just yesterday
and he has really been on my mind. He is beautiful and brave. I can't
imagine what he and his family are going through, but most of all I know
that his family is happy to have had him in their lives. I could never
imagine what my life would be like without my children and hopefully
will never have to find out. I wish the best for Ben and his family and
they will be in my prayers!
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Paula
Curcio |
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Email
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PCurcio@aol.com |
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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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United
States |
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Comments
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I sit
here in tears as I read your story.I am the mother of 4 children and
can't even begin to imagine having to go through what your family has
had to deal with. I will pray for your family and for Ben now and will
continue to do so. As hard as it is to understand, something like this
serves as a reminder that God gives us our children as a precious gift
to love and cherish and sometimes he want's them back before we are
ready to let them go. May there be comfort in knowing that he will be in
the arms of the angels in Heaven and free from any pain and suffering
and that you will see him again one day. I will pray for you, your wife,
Eli, and the rest of your family's strength as you heal from this.
Heartfelt prayers to you all, Paula
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Jeanette
Boggs |
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Email
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huai@verizon.net
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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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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This is
sent with love from Jeanette,Pam & Emma. We have followed Ben's story
for several months & feel like all of you are part of our family. We
continue to pray,laugh,cry & dream with you. God bless you today &
everyday. :)
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Kelley
Land |
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Email
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kelley@helwys.com
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Home Page
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City
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Macon
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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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I read
your request today for comments honoring Ben. My husband and I have had
a big year! We found out in February that we were expecting, and I gave
birth to a healthy baby girl in November. Samantha has been the light of
our lives for the past 5 1/2 weeks. Late last year, when my friend Jenny
Wilkins's daughter Catie was diagnosed with cancer, I continued my
weekly habit of checking on more than a dozen children through Caring
Bridge. One day your link appeared on Catie's site, and I was blessed to
read about Big Ben, his brave brother Eli, and his faithful parents.
Only now, as a brand-new mom, can I even begin to imagine the pain you
must feel as you face the loss of your son here on earth. Only now, as a
mommy, can I truly grasp the importance of belief in the one true God,
the Lord Jesus who will welcome your baby boy with open arms and the
warmest smile he's ever seen. I'm so sorry you've had to go through
this. Nothing about it is fair. Nothing about it makes sense. Thanks for
struggling to see through the terror of the
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Kelley
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Email
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kelley@helwys.com
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Home Page
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City
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Macon
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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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trial and
for trying to grasp God's big picture, which spans farther than we could
ever imagine. Hold tightly to your faith and hold your little boy
tightly. I will keep you in my prayers.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Brandi
Bonicelli |
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Email
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brandi5154@earthlink.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Coldwater
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State
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Mississippi |
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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My family
and I will keep you in our prayers. Stay strong and know that God loves
you.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Delores
Broussard |
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Email
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dee@connections-lct.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Erath
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State
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Louisiana
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Little
Ben, I found out about you through one of my friends in my Premier
family. You make me smile! What a sweet child you must be. I do not have
any children of my own, it was God's decision and I have accepted that.
So just think of how much love and prayers I have for all of God's
little miracles, especially you. Please know you and your family will be
in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you little one.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Deana,
Scott and Kaitlyn Harrison |
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Email
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harrison1923@hotmail.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Lavalette
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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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Hello,
and Merry Christmas to all of you. When i here at RC3 or read your story
on line. I look at my daughter and thank God for every moment i have
with her. I cherish her laughter,smiles and even her tears of saddness
or anger. We pray for you daily. When Kaitlyn says her prayers at night
she never forgets Ben she always says "Jesus please heal baby Ben."
Those 5 words are so powerful especially coming from a 2 year old. Thank
you for sharing you unbelieveable story with the world.You have shown my
family what is important verses something that may seem important at the
time but truly isn't. We will continue to prayfor strength, guidence and
healing for Ben and the rest of your family. We love you all very much.
God bless and Merry Christmas!
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Heather
Neal Fletcher |
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Email
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Hmsfletcher@yahoo.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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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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Through
you Ben, I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, realize
that life is ever-changing and unpredictable, to savor each moment with
my family , and to follow your parent's example of faith. I am also
reminded of what it really means to truly "believe". I had not forgotten
God's love for me, but for many years, neglected to embrace it. That has
changed. I feel blessed that I am one of many that has been touched by
you, without ever even meeting you...That's some kind of power....God's.
Thank you for making me a better person.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Tarrah
Davis |
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Email
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ctarrah@juno.com
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Home Page
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City
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Youngsville |
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State
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LA
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Hi Ben, I
learned about you from my sister Theresa who is friends with your mom.
You are definitely a cute boy. You and your family are in my prayers. I
hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a very safe and healthy New
Year! Love, Tarrah
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Michael
J. Thibodeaux |
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Email
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mikethib@bellsouth.net |
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Home Page
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City
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New
Iberia |
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State
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LA
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Country
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Comments
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Our
prayers are with your family at this time of year.
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Next
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