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April 28,
2005 |
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Jamie M.
Kirby |
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will be
working with patient going through similar experience. He is a true hero
and I feel blessed to have been one of the many to be touched by Ben's
Story.
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Dear
Bowen Family, I have followed Ben's story since meeting all of you at
the Memphis zoo last fall. My dauther is a nurse at St. Jude. I also
follow many other stories of St. Jude patients. I came across a poem
this morning on another web site and thought of you. LETTING GO The
angels gathered near your bed So very close to you For they know the
pain and suffering That you have been going through I thought about so
many things As I held tightly to your hand Oh how I wished that you were
strong And happy once again But your eyes were looking homeward To that
place beyond the sky Where Jesus held His outstretched arms It was time
to say goodbye I struggled with my selfish thoughts For I wanted you to
stay So we could talk and play again Like we did yesterday But Jesus
knew the answer And I knew He loved you so So I gave to you life’s
greatest gift - The gift of letting go.
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Date
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April 28,
2005 |
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Name
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Jordy
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rldurbin@kcc.usda.gov |
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www3.caringbridge.org/mo/memerobin |
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mo
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Im so
sorry your sad, I hope you had a nice time in disney world, my Meme is
takeing me in September where did you stay Eli? was it nice? My meme and
i will put you in our daily prayers. Love Jordy and her meme
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Still
praying for your hearts to heal. Thank you for being a long distant
friend to my daughter wendy. your words have brought so much comfort to
our family and i pray our love has helped yours as well. I hope your
time at disney was great for you guys and eli. I think of Karley Hanna
and Ben all the time . ive gotta feel there together in paradise. all my
love mike goddard
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It sounds
like your trip to Disney world was lots of fun, especially for Eli. Eli
I hope you had a nice birthday, you deserve it. Columbus had their Relay
For Life for Cancer last weekend, it was so cold but they still had a
good turnout. They raised $82,000 for cancer research. They have bags
with candles that they put in honor of people fighting cancer and ones
that have lost the battle and became angels. I put a bag out for Ben and
My Dad. It is sad how many bags were out there. I hope one day they can
find a cure so no one has to suffer like Ben or the hundred others out
there. Praying you will get through these tough times. Laurie
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Dear
Bowen Family, Our prayers are still with you. I was just reading your
latest update and wanted to let you and your friends know that it is
easier to speak about Ben now than to wait. When my mother passed away,
I wanted to talk about her instead of letting everything build up inside
of me. The pain never goes away but it makes it easier to talk about him
more in the years to come. I wish you all the best and give my love to
Eli. He has been a very strong boy.
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Date
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April 28,
2005 |
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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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Charleston |
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WV
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Dear
Bowens, So glad you had a great time at Disney. Especially Eli. I know
there were good memories of Big Ben there, but broke your hearts also. I
pray that God will give you strength each day, guide you everyday and
help your hearts to mend the best that they can. Ben's story is still
very powerful and I believe it always will be. For me and my life I know
it will be. Many blessings being sent your way. Hugs and kisses to Eli.
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Date
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April 28,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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If you
think of someone who as passed they aren’t forgotten. If you tell
someone about your loved one that has passed you are sharing him or her
and another will think of them and pass them along. Ben is definitely
passed along. Loved like a family member missed like a dear old friend.
Any one who knows me knows Big Ben Bowen and his family. Talk about him
share his journey. And your love for him and his life will beam through
like his smiles did for all of us who adore him. Love you guys and still
praying for you all.
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I was
blessed enough to find your story through my cousin who attended your
sweet Big Ben's funeral and lives in Chesapeake, Ohio. I find it truely
remarkable how amazing your entire family is. I think of the pain you
have all suffered and are still suffering yet there is not one negative
sentence written. Your story helps me to remember what is important in
life and not to take things for granted. You have taught us all so much
through your poetic updates! I pray for you and every family out there
to give you the strength each day to carry on. God is good! Tom,
Jennifer and Eli, you are the most amazing and remarkable family...keep
it strong and carry on!
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Let me
restate one of my sentences in my previous entry....Tom, Jennifer, Eli
and Big Ben you are a truely remarkable family......!!!!!
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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While
your family and the Hanna's are on there way to support other St. Jude
families during such a rough time. Praying others feel comfort through
your pain and that you have a awesome time visiting such great friends.
Stay well and spread the love.
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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Though
unfortunally we were not. When I was at Bens funeral and watched the
walls light up with pictures of your family here and at St. Jude you
couldnt help but to feel the love. His smile. What can you say it says
it all. It was like sitting in your living room sharing home videos.
Thank you for sharing them. As precious as they are it allowed people
who never seen Ben see him in the light he brought to this world.
Imagine what he must be up too in heaven. :)
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Tara
Whittaker |
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twhittaker@wmt.com
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Arlington
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TN
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Dear
Bowen Family, I am thrilled to hear you all had a good trip to
Disneyworld. You all deserve the best and I'm sure this was a great time
for Eli. I look forward to more updates. Much love, The Whittaker Family
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Susan
Bernhardt |
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Email
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desbernhardt@msn.com
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Zimmerman
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Minnesota
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The
mention of my child's name May bring tears to my eyes, But it never
fails to bring Music to my ears. If you are really my friend, Let me
hear the beautiful music of his name. It soothes my broken heart And
sings to my soul." Author Unknown God Bless You All! Hugs, Susan
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Dearest
Bowens, We wanted to let you know we are still thinking and praying for
your family! Glad you had a decent time in Florida. Hey Eli hope you had
a great birthday. I'm glad the Florida staff treated you well, i'm sorry
you had some times that were hard while you were there, but Big Ben was
staring down at you guys laughing and saying to you i'm ok and i'm here
with you... Dearest Angel Ben You are missed greatly, and you will never
be forgotten!! Sincerely, Steph and Beth
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Tom &
Nancy |
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Dickinson
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TX
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Hi Tom &
Jenn: Just dropping a line to say Hello and tell you how very often we
think of you, we pray for you, we send love across the miles to you, we
pray for Eli, and we miss Ben. Perhaps people feel that they will cause
you greater distress and pain in reminding you - perhaps they feel you
will think of the disease, the pain, and the end, and not the beautiful
little boy, the joy, the memories, and his new beginning playing on the
streets of heaven, sitting on Jesus' lap, charming all the angels. When
we lose someone we love from this world, there is an incredible gap that
cannot be filled. Remembering serves as a way to bridge the gap. Joy
truly does come in the morning. God bless you as you stand in that gap
for Hanna's parents and the St. Jude families that need encouragement,
hope, and love. May they feel God's arms wrap around them. We love you,
T&N
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Tom and
Jennifer, This is my first time to your beautiful webpage. My son is a
patient at St.Jude. I've seen your picture there. What a beautiful
family you all are. I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss that
is too great for words. From all that I have read, it's evident you are
Christians. I just want to remind you once again of this great promise
we have: "And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; there will be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away! (Rev.21:4) Yes, we have
this hope, and one day you will be reunited with your precious Ben. I'm
only sorry I didn't have the honor of meeting him! May God bless you and
keep you in the days ahead! Love, Susan
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Date
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April 29,
2005 |
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Name
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Gary,
Shanna, and Mackenzie |
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Email
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scoobeeeee@charter.net |
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Home Page
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Comfort
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WV
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US
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I wanted
to send our thoughts and prayers to you once again, I signed your guest
book several months ago, and have wanted to sign several times recently,
but didn't know what to say. I think of your family often. Our daughter
was very sick when she was born, (she was born at 24 weeks and only
weighed 1 pound and 8 ounces) She is now going in 4 grade soon WOW! I
wanted to let you know that Big Ben moved her so much, she donated her
hair to "Locks of Love" in memory of Big Ben. It is printed in our small
town newspaper. I cried when she did it. My daughter made me so proud
that day, and it showed me how much Big Ben touched even the youngest
child. We have read your story and have shed many tears. I love the
pictures and share them with my daughter and husband all the time.
People ask me about Ben. I fill them in and tell them about the website,
and St. Jude. I hope other children would donate their hair to "Locks of
Love." My daughter was inspired by Ben, and I am inspired by you. We
will keep your family in our prayer
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Hi, My
name is Brandi Sanders and I have e-mailed you once before. My daughter
is an ALL patient at St.Jude. I check Ben's webpage often and the impact
your sweet son is making on the world is overwhelming! I was in the new
gift shop recently and saw something that immediately made me think of
him. It reminded me of a picture I saw of Ben in Promise magazine. It
was a blue checked collared shirt with a white t-shirt underneath with
the St.Jude logo on it. I almost ask if this had been inspired by Ben. I
pray that you have a safe trip to St.Jude. You are truly inspiring and I
will continue to pray for God's peace and understanding for your family.
From one St. Jude parent to another, Brandi Sanders
www.caringbridge.com/ms/anneraegan
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Date
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April 30,
2005 |
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Name
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Leslie
Cummings |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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To the
incredible Bowen family: I just wanted you all to know that you are in
my thoughts and prayers. I haven't met you nor do you know who I am but
your son Ben's life as well as your own has touched my life. The courage
and strength your family has shown is amazing. I will continue to lift
your family up in prayer everyday. God Bless!
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Date
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April 30,
2005 |
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Name
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Jessica
Bowman |
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Email
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bowmans@alltel.net
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firth
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Nebraska
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HELLO
Tom, Jennifer and Eli- My daughter Lillie and I sat with you at the
Spectromagic parade @ Disney on 04/18/05 and you were so kind to
us-trying to help us open our cotton candy and sharing your tips on what
to see and where to go while at Disney, but most of all you shared
yourselves and your family story and we our truely honored to have our
BIG BEN wrist bands, my daughter Lillie has been telling everyone that
she got hers from her friend Eli at the parade! We just returned from
our trip 04/28 after spending some time in other parts of Florida and I
had the honor of reading Bens Story today-I so appreciate that you have
shared this with me, and I will pass it on. You are truely special
people-I could sense this as we tagged along with you after the parade
that night and am more aware of it now that I have visited this site-I
can not imagine the grief you have experienced, but you have done so
much to help others and bring people together by sharing yourselves-it
is nice to know that there are great people like you in the world
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Date
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April 30,
2005 |
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Name
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Jessica
Bowman |
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continued
from previous- We hope Eli's eye has healed. Thank you again for the
kindness you showed us. Lillie recognized her friend Eli when I showed
her the pictures on the web site. God Bless You All Your friends in
Nebraska The Bowmans
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Date
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May 1,
2005 |
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Name
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Kim Croft
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Email
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croft5@eathlink.net
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Humble
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TX
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Praise
God for carrying you through. We continue to pray and believe. Our love
to all of you. The Croft's
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Dear Tom,
Jennifer and Eli, Today, I was asked to partcipate in a video that our
church is putting together for Mother's Day, and I was asked to give
some word of wisdom I have learned along the way. The best thing I could
come up with was that if I am to teach my children obedience, I must
walk it every day of my life - NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT. I think of you,
and how every day of your life is a consciuos walk of obedience - even
when it's difficult. We can never be God's messengers without being
completely sold out to His purpose. Thank you for being sold out to our
Father. With much love, Kim
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http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm I lit a candle in Ben's
honor. See it under the name Ruth. It burns for 48 hours. May God Bless
your wonderful family.
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