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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Faucheux
Family |
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myangelz3@earthlink.net |
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Southaven
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MS
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Ben, I
think it was first your daddy's acts of heroism that led me to learn
your story so well. I have two cousins, one on the NYFD & the other on
the NYPD. We just felt a connection. But, as we read, we began to see
that your daddy had passed on his strength to you, and much like a hero,
you learned how to use it much sooner than the rest of us ever would. We
are so proud of your fight, and we know that your family is too. We are
still praying, still believing that God's plan will be one of peace for
you. As a Mommy and Daddy, you have made us so grateful for our own
wonderful children. Your life has made us truly cherish theirs even
more. Thank you for your strength, Ben. You leave us in awe...All our
love & blessings, The Faucheux Family
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My Little
Ben, As I sit here writing these words, I can only think of your smile.
The smile that has replayed in my head through many prayers. You and
your family have given us such encouragement through our own trial and I
am truly "honored" to have had the opportunity to spend time with you.
You have inspired me to be a better christian and share my story with so
many others. Along the way, I always mention your name. I will never
view life as I have before. We are here for a purpose, and as much as we
want to believe that we are in control of our destiny, we were God's
first and He controls everything. As hard as this has been, I can't even
imagine, God has made this trial a blessing. Thank you God. Ben, you are
an angel and will forever be our hero. Still praying for a miracle to
shock the world also. Hugs and Kisses, Brian, Amanda, Joshua, and
McKinley
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Jennifer
Sharnhorst |
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Email
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the_jennifer@hotmail.com |
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Phoenix
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Arizona
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I don't
even know how to word this in the right way, but I will try. Benjamin is
beautiful. Everytime I see his picture I smile, he just has that effect
on most people. Your family is also beautiful. Him and your family has
touched my life. Praying for a miracle. Jennifer (friends of Allie)
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December
15, 2004 |
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R\
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December
15, 2004 |
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unknown
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I did not
go to church till i started reading about you and did not believe till
your fathers words broke though my heart.Now i pray not just for your
folks but for all the ones you have ask me to pray for.And for myself..I
pray alot for your brother..i know it must be hard for him. he just a
little boy.i pray for you, but know youll be alright..God Bless.. (Ill
see you soon) Time has no place in heaven. So it will seen like we just
left the room and came back in to find you.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Ray
Delano |
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Email
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raydelano@comcast.net |
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Home Page
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Ocean
Pines |
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Maryland
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Tom and
Jennifer, as I've followed Ben's (and your) story over the past months I
hadn't really given much thought to the specific impact on my life until
you mention this in your comments yesterday (12/14). I'm sure I, like
many, people, walk through our daily lives with struggles and pains that
we feel are difficult, if not impossible, to bear. We have financial,
job, relationship burdens or just feel lost with all the stress of life
weighing heavily on our shoulders. We walk in the stores or the office
and it appears that no one else in the world has any cares and that you
alone bear the weight of your problems. Enter Big Ben! Ben represents an
example of what God wants us all to do and be. I know he may be young
but clearly he faces a burden greater than many of us will ever
understand because he feels what Eli, Jennifer and yourself feel yet as
you often comment, he seldom lets a smile leave his face. I pray that
God will allow me just a portion of the faith and courage that he and
your family have shown me (and so
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Dearest
Benjamin, How I admire your courage & bravery. For a child so young you
have endured so much. You have been a fighter and you keep on fighting.
Did some of your Daddy's bravery rub off on you? =) Reading stories of
brave children like you has made me realize that I need to do something
to help so that in the (hopefully near) future, nobody has to go through
what you have. Since September I have done several things to try to
help. I organized a Light the Night team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society. I joined the national bone marrow registry. I became a Cancer
Warrior. I try to visit as many sites as I can that are like yours to
sign guestbooks and show my support to families as wonderful as yours. I
pray for you & keep on hoping for a miracle. You can never lose hope.
May your miracle come soon sweetheart. Stay brave little hero. Lots of
love.. xxoo
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Dear Ben,
I have been following you story for several months now. I check in on
you everyday and pray for you and your family everyday. Ben, your story
has inspired me to be brave, to hold onto my joy, and to continue to
believe that GOD is gaining honor & glory from your story. We are each
encouraged to live a live of service to GOD and I believe you have done
that according to 1 John 2:28: "Now, little children, abide in Him, that
when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at
His coming." Ben, even though we have never met this side of Heaven, I
know we will spend eternity together. And until then, I will hold you in
my heart and continue to pray for your family. Believing, Kathy
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Dear Ben
and family, I have followed your story for many months. I fisrt learned
of the Caring Bridge site from a little boy in our area named Carter
Martin. I never realized how many children are fighting tuff battles
everyday. We, as adults, worry about things that a year or ten years
from now will mean nothing. We never stop to look at the now and today.
I have learned from you and the many other children that courage and
bravery are all you know. You never keep fighting but you continue
playing and laughing even in the toughest times. I admire you! You help
make us realize that life is precious and you cannot take it for
granted. I am sure that everyday, my loved ones know that I love them
and think about them all the time. You have shown me not to worry about
the little things but the big things that matter, family. I am forever
grateful for knowing you, if not in person, through you site. I pray
that God keeps you safe and comforts you during your brave battle. I
will keep checking on you daily. Please know that
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Anita Kay
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Mansfield
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OH
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As I read
through other entries in your guestbook I am speechless. It still amazes
me to see where all of these people are from. I wonder how the story of
one little boy could travel so far in such a short amount of time. The
only answer I can come up with is that God wanted the world to know
about Big Ben Bowen. I continue to pray for you and your family. I have
heard for a long time about the "faith of a child." I don't think I
understood the full impact of this comment until I started reading about
you. I wish I could be so courageous to just take on each day with a
smile, and not worry about anything. All of the tests and procedures,
treatments, horrible-tasting medicines, and so much more that you have
endured. What two year old could understand all of that? You just
continue to endure and play whatever hand is dealt to you. You are my
hero.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Tonia
Ernst |
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Email
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ternst@grics.net
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Home Page
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City
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Morrison
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State
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IL
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As I read
the journal entry this morning I was struck by how incredibly focused
and peaceful you "sounded". I was connected to your family through the
McIlrath's, who spent six months at St. Jude earlier this year with
their daughter, Alethea. I've always known God works in wonderful and
mysterious ways. Your unwavering faith has brought me to a higher level
of understanding in just how awesom our God is. Thank-you. To Ben: You
are a very lucky little boy to have such a wonderful family. Your mommy
and daddy and big brother love you more than words can describe. You
have reminded a complete stranger, like myself, to always believe in
miracles, always smile through the bad stuff, and rely on our Lord for
all my daily needs. When you get to Heaven, say hello to my baby girl,
Cassidy. Tell her mommy loves her and misses her. You've done so much in
your short life, you will reap the treasures God has stored for you in
Heaven. God Bless you and your family. Tonia Ernst
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Angel
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Email
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angel@ciswv.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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Tom &
Jennifer, I can't imagine what you are feeling. I don't even know you
and my heart is breaking. I am a single mother of a 5 year old little
girl and all I can think about is "There but for the Grace of God". I
read the article on Aaron Hunter, which was so heartbreaking. Again, I
just don't know what I would do. It is so amazing and the only
explaination is God that Ben continues to be so happy. His strength is
unbelievable. He is so precious. I wish there was something that I could
do for you and for Ben. Enjoy you Christmas and each and every minute
you have with your precious Angel.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Anita Kay
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(continued) I feel that you have inspired me to be a better person. To
love people more fully, to leave all of my cares to God and not worry
about what will happen every minute of every day. My life is only
temporary. The only thing on earth that will follow me to heaven is what
I did for Christ with the time He has given me. Thank you for sharing
your story with me. I'm still praying for a miracle healing. But if God
wants you to be with Him instead of us, heaven will be a sweeter place
with Big Ben! I can't wait to meet you there!
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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
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Comments
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this goes
with the above entry be me sorry its so long. the other one left off on
truly give the world something to think about and cherish. Thanks for
letting the world meet your Big Ben Bowen September patient of the month
for St. Jude he is truly an inspiration in so many peoples hearts. My
friends little girl Morgan was diagnosed with the same type of tumor as
Ben and being able to follow his story has been a big help. Please if
you dont mind say a little prayer for her tonight before you rest.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Kathi
Jenkins |
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Email
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jenkinskj@burg.k12.oh.us |
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Home Page
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City
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Kitts
Hill |
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State
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OH
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U.S.
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Comments
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Hey Big
Ben! I want you to know that your story has made me believe. This year
has been a big year for several reasons. Two of those reasons are
hearing your story and finding a new church home. It has been a trying
year, but your strength has been an inspiration to me. I tend to worry a
lot, but to see you stay so strong through all this makes me truly
believe that we have an AWESOME and POWERFUL God that takes care of us
all the time. I believe your story is all for the Glory of God. I love
you all! God is good.....ALL the time! Believing also, Kathi
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Lori
Goddard |
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Email
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Lorz_2006@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Auburn
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ME
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Comments
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Bowens, I
am at a loss of words right now. I was just in shock with what i read.
Ben is a strong little boy with a big heart, and has touched thousands
of people across the Nation. He is loved by many even though a lot of
people don't personally know him. He will be forever remembered. He is
constantly in my head, the past 2 days I have been going crazy not
knowing what was going on. Ben has overcome so much already, theres
still hope, and God has already performed many miracles for him, who
knows what he has in store for you. Ben has made an impact on all of us,
just remember the good times with him, and keep your head up, continue
praying and believing for him, hes a strong little boy. If theres
anything we can do here up in Maine let us know. Ben has taughten me
courage and to never give up, even if the odds were unlikely, hes
touched more people in his 2 years then most people do in a lifetime,
thats something that can always be cherished. All of us in Maine love
you all and will continue to pray for your family and Big Ben.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Donna
Noeliker |
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Email
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dnoelker@transplants.org |
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Home Page
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www.transplants.org |
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City
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Memphis
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Tennessee
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USA
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Comments
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Dear Ben,
Mom, Dad and Eli, As I read the message from your dad this morning, Ben,
I thought what a lucky boy you are. You have a family who loves you so
very much and also many, many hundreds of friends who pray for you each
and every day. How special that must make you feel - and you are a very
special little boy with an absolutely beautiful, contagious smile and a
spirit unlike any I have known in my life. You are an inspiration - and
have taught so many of us the true meaning of courage. Your family has
brought a message of love and faith to all those who have met you in
person or through your web site. I myself met you at the Memphis zoo
back in October. I can honestly tell you that since that meeting, and
reading your dad's daily entries on your web site, I have come to
realize that we must put all of our faith in God and trust his plan, and
we must take each day as it comes and live it fully and cherish it
deeply. I feel blessed that our paths crossed briefly back in October
and know they will cross again some day.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Tammy
Hoopingarner |
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Email
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Tammygal@Elvis.com
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Home Page
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City
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Terre
Haute |
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State
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Indiana
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USA
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Comments
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Be strong
little man..Peace and comfort be with you as you snuggle with your
family..
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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sandra
hood |
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Email
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shood@stjude.org
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Home Page
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City
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Sheffield
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AL
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Comments
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I have
been a nurse at SJCRH for almost eight years now....i have seen alot...i
started keeping up with Ben over the summer after i took care of him for
one night..all the kids at st. jude are such brave little souls but
there is just something about Ben...thank you for sharing his story...i
am reminded daily to"not sweat the small stuff"...my two little boys and
I pray nightly for Ben..and i find myself praying several times daily
for a miracle for your family.....i have prayed alot since knowing Ben"s
story ...something i didnt always do before....i found myself asking
people from different churchs to add Ben to there prayer list...as i
have written before i prefer to think of Ben now as my little Ben's
[14mnths] namesake...it makes me proud now because i think of your
little hero when i say his name..when he is older he too will know about
Bens story..and how it has touched his mama and helped her to
believe...you are a wonderful family ..God bless you this
christmas...Sandra 2nd flr rn sjcrh
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Sarah
Barker |
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Email
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Godzblessedme@earthlink.net |
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/ms/micah |
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City
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Nesbit
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MS
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Comments
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I pray
for you guys often. Nothing can take the joy that you guys exemplify
away, you are an incredible testimony of how full and true life can be.
Thank you Ben, for your bravery and your sweet spirit. I hug my daughter
a little tighter and kiss her a little more often when I am reminded
that for every cancer survivor like her, there are still children we
must work hard for--so as Danny says, "No child should die in the dawn
of life"--our hearts are with you guys! www.desotodarlings.com
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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prayer
partner |
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Home Page
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City
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Ashland
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State
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Kentucky
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USA
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Comments
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Ben, I
think of you daily and pray for you daily. I have two little boys and
find myself looking at things different with them I hug them little
tighter and kiss and little more. When I lay my head down at night I
always think of you as well as my boys. I always pray that God's peace
and strength be with you and the comfort that can only be supplied by
our God for your family to have rest. Your story has changed my life in
amazing ways that I know God has sent thru you. I will continue to pray
and believe for you and your family. Thank you, Ben and the Bowen
family!
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Comments
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Big
Ben..what a brave and courageous little boy. You have lived and touched
more people in your two years of life, than most people ever do. You
were put on this earth for that reason. God loves you and will hold you
in his hand forever. I pray for your parents and family to have the
strength to hand you over to the Lord...to live for eternity in Heaven.
You will all eventually be together in Heaven..what a joyous reunion.
Ben-you give us all strength and I hug my children tighter everyday
because of your story. God Bless you sweet child.
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Date
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December
15, 2004 |
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Name
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Wade
Hinton |
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Email
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wade@gccob.com |
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Home Page
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www.gccob.com |
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City
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Olive
Branch |
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State
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MS
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Country
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Desoto
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Comments
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Little
Ben and family. It is my hearts cry that God would bless and keep you
and your family in the comfort of his arms and bring his healing to your
life. Fight the fight and keep the faith.
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Comments
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Dear Ben
~ God has blessed you with joy in spite of your circumstances. You have
been protected and you have shown joy and love and excitement about
LIFE. Your innocent little heart knows what pure joy is. We celebrate
the miracle of you, and we praise God for your life. Dear Eli ~ I pray
that God will wrap you tightly in His arms and comfort you when things
seem very confusing. You're a little boy who lives in a world way bigger
than what your precious mind can comprehend; actually bigger than what
most adults can comprehend. I pray that God continues to protect your
heart and your mind and when you grow up you'll use your little-boy
experiences to make you an even stronger man. Tom and Jennifer ~ I pray
that the Holy Spirit fills every ounce of your beings. You've been very
kind to share your experiences with the world. My words are inadequate
to express my feelings. Especially at Christmas we think about how our
Creator sent us His Son who eventually returned to prepare a place for
us but left us with the Holy Sp
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