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Date
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April 26,
2005 |
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Name
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Keeley,
Ian, Abbie & Emily Thain |
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Email
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i.thain@btconnect.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Billericay |
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State
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Essex
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Country
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United
Kingdom |
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Comments
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We are so
pleased to have met such a remarkable family recently in Florida. Your
strength is an inspiration to us all. If ever you wish to visit London
you all have a home here with us. (Ian is an excellent tour guide :-) )
With love to you all. Keeley, Ian, Abbie & Emily (Your English laundry
buddies).
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Date
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April 26,
2005 |
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Name
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Marci
Connell |
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Email
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mac093@bellsouth.net
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Home Page
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City
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Valdosta
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State
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Georgia
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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WELCOME
HOME BOWEN FAMILY----I am so glad you all took some very much needed R&R
for your family. Ia m sure Eli had alot of fun as well as moments of
sadness over Ben not being present but having the 2 amazing parents he
has Eli will conquer any obstacle that God or anyone throws his way. I
cant wait to hear your update. God Bless!!! Love, Marci Connell
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Date
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April 26,
2005 |
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Name
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Brenda
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Email
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brurka@shaw.ca |
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Home Page
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www2.caringbridge.org/ca/daverurka/ |
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City
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Edmonton
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State
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AB
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Country
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Canada
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Comments
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Date
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April 26,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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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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Comments
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Looking
forward to the newest update and the details of the fun in disney. Hope
and praying for you all.
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Date
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April 26,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Bays |
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Email
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bbays@bellsouth.net
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Home Page
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City
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Homer
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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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Please
know that you all continue to be in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the continued updates. Love in Christ
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer, Thank you for sharing your story (your last update). It's
things like this that keep us in check of what is truly important
especially things can get very hectic in our everyday lives. Peace in
believing, Ruthie
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Robin
Brunet |
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Email
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robinb@neptune.on.ca
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Home Page
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City
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Bradford
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State
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Ontario
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Country
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Canada
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Comments
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Glad to
hear that Disney was great. May you now have the time you need to figure
out the next steps on your journey. All the best to you all and know
that the world will always remember Ben.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Rachael
Jantz |
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Email
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cljantz@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Houston
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State
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Texas
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Country
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Comments
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I lost my
daughter in Aug. 04 and I know exactly what you are talking about your
loss deepening. I also know that I want to talk about my daughter. I
think I seek out the friends that want to talk about her too....the ones
that aren't afraid. I have relatives that just won't talk about it and
it hurts deeply. Like you, nothing anyone says will ever hurt as deep as
the pain we feel...in fact I have become more compassionate towards
those that reach out and maybe say something strange...at least they are
reaching!!! For me, I wanted to talk facts too, I want to talk about the
raw grief, the traumatic feelings, etc. the other stuff was fluff for
me. I would never never never want another child to be ill, but I seek
out parents who have experienced the same loss, because I know they
*really know*!!!! That is how I came to find your website. It has been a
healing experience even through the tears. I have read the jounal from
the beginning. I have never met Ben, but I love him! and I pray for your
family. The pain will never g
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Rachael
Jantz |
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Email
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cljantz@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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Comments
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The pain
will never go away but it will grow dimmer...it will still be there but
you will be able to see through it rather than it being the blinding
light that it is now. I am praying for your family, Rachael
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Erin
Perkey |
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Email
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perkeyel@muohio.edu
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Home Page
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City
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Oxford
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State
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OH
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Still
thinking and praying for you daily! I was so happy to read you had a
fantastic time in Disney World. I'll be checking in on your family
frequently and sending you happy thoughts.
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Comments
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Oh how my
heart is aching for you all. I pray for your comfort and strength
everyday, for the power to continue to use Ben's story in the most
powerful of ways. I carry Ben's story in my heart everyday...and use any
chance to tell people about him. When people ask what the blue band is,
I jump at the chance to share your little boys story with them. I am
praying so so hard for you. May God give you strength-I will continue to
pray Love, hugs, and continued support, Megan
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Abby
Kinch |
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Email
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abbykinch@hotmail.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Lee's
Summit |
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State
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MO
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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My heart
breaks for you all. Ben is such a beautiful person, in side and out. I
know he will live in your hearts forver. Please know that I still think
of little Ben often. His story has touched me in way most do not. I am
praying for all you as you continue on in your journey. Take care.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Jan
Sullivan |
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Email
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crumyjcs@aol.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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Comments
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Eli: I
hope your birthday was filled with joy! May your most precious gift be
God's love for you. You and your Mom and Dad remain in my prayers.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Megan
Eplin |
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Email
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megpegwv22@hotmail.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Chapmanville |
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State
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WV
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Country
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Comments
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Welcome
home Dearest Bowens........Glad you had some R&R together. I look
forward to the new pictures and updates on the website. Thoughts and
Prayers Always!
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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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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Comments
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Glad
Disney was such a good time and they treated you so well. Disney was
such a great time for the four of you and he done so well there. I hope
you always see Ben and the memories around every corner. I can’t wait to
see the pictures. Eli deserved every minute of it. He is such a good
kid. You asked for suggestions for Ben’s site. I love Ben’s pages. A
growing book in many ways. They only suggestion I would have can we help
Bens cause and the other children at St. Jude. I read a story last night
on Althea’s page and signed up right then to be a bone marrow donor.
Little things like that may make it possible for an everyday person to
free a child from the life they are fighting for at St. Jude. Just a
suggestion and how we can help you guys. We love your family and pray
daily for you. But we can do more if we know how. Words can’t express
how I miss Ben. I see him often on the St. Jude commercials. I couldn’t
imagine being without Alex or Cameron. But there is a grand plan for us
all and trust and your faith will f
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Country
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Comments
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Cont. But
there is a grand plan for us all and trust and your faith will find away
to comfort you. Lean on friends, family and we will continue to pray for
you and all the families that are at St. Jude and the sweet babies that
play in heaven. I love you guys and your sweet boys. Stay well. Ben’s
faithful fan.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Tammy
Lausten |
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Email
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GTinkrbel@aol.com
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/pa/tylerlausten |
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City
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State
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Pa
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Country
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Comments
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You and
your family are truely blessed...though hard to see at times im
sure...cause life isnt suppose to be "thisway"..life without your
kids....but he did choose your family along with others on this so
called journey...as you gained strength from ben each day...i feel as if
i gain strength just reading and knowing you through your amazing
son....i know i will forever be touched...ill continue to read up on
your updates...and continue to send prayers your way...your are the most
inspirering family anyone could know...for yous are the word AMAZING!
WWW.caringbridge.org/pa/tylerlausten
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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guardian
angel |
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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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Lebanon
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Comments
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My
parents are survivors, or so I've heard it said. But I hear them crying
at night when all others are in bed. I watch them lay awake at night and
go to hold their hand. they don't know I'm with them to help them
understand. But like the sands on the beach that never wash away... I
watch over my surviving parents, who think of me each day. they wear a
smile for others...a smile of disguise. But through Heaven's door I see
tears flowing from their eyes. My parents trie to cope with death to
keep my memory alive. But anyone who knows them knowm it is their way to
survive. As I watch over my surviving parents...through Heaven's open
door. I try to tell them that angels protect me forever more. But I know
that doesn't help them or ease the burden they bears. So if you get a
chance, go visit them...And show them that you care. For no matter what
they say...no matter what they feel. My surviving parents have a broken
heart that time won't ever heal~! Author unknown.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Dana and
Ken Pennington |
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Email
|
babyjadeyes@yahoo.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Springdale |
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State
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Arkansas
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Country
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USA
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Comments
|
Dear Tom,
Jennifer, and Eli, We were so glad to hear that the trip was so much fun
& that everyone treated you so wonderful. Would expect nothing less.
Everyone who knows you knows the blessing & treasure you have given the
world by sharing your lives & Ben's story with us, & there is nothing we
can do to repay it, other than to "live it". That would be what Ben
would want, I believe. Just like you guys have done. You don't just talk
the talk, you have to be able to walk the walk also, & you do. That is
what the world is watching for. You have been an incredible witness in
this aspect, you have to know this... ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL. We all
admire you so much, that does not heal any pain, but know we love you, &
lift you up in prayer. We serve a Mighty God, & he is good all the time.
Even when we find it hard to see. We are all part of his master plan.
"BEN JUST PLAYED A BIGGER ROLE" :) (AND WHAT A FINE JOB HE DID TOO!)
Love you guys, Dana and Ken Pennington
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Heather
McCoy |
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Email
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hdlmccoy@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Comments
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Glad you
had such a wonderful time at Disney. I can only imagine how much sadness
you felt in the midst of all the fun. I pray you three will ge given the
strength you need to move forward. I think of Ben very often, sorry I
never saw his smile in person, but look forward to the day that I will.
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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TamiTrunick |
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Email
|
trunicks@hotmail.com
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Home Page
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City
|
Cold
Spring |
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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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Glad to
hear Disney was so fun for Eli! What a fun place to have a birthday
party! Know the times are hard, what a precious gift Eli is to help you
though. Thinking of you, praying.
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Comments
|
Hi Tom,
Jenn and Eli. I just wanted to say Hi. I'm glad you guys made it back
home. Vacations are always bitter sweet...you can't wait to get away,
but they must always come to a close. I've said it before, and I must
say it again as I believe I speak for the majority of folks as I type
this...I wish that "I" or that "we" could comfort you. It breaks our
heart too that you have to go through this. Although words, and at times
prayers just don't seem to be enough, we will continue to offer our love
and concern for your healing and continued trust in the only One who can
fulfill His words of Promise. When Jesus prayed for us in John 17 verse
26, he said, " I have made you(God) known to them, and will continue to
make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and
that I myself may be in them." Emmanuel is with you guys.....and there
truly isn't any better comfort than that. In Christ, Alan, Christy and
Kensey Gianettino
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Comments
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Tom,
Jennifer,& Eli. Tonight I feel just a taste of the pain you guys are
feeling. Today I said goodbye to my Grandma for the last time, she went
home on Sunday the 24th. Grandma had liver cancer and it had spread to
her lungs, She fought hard, but in the end she just got tired and she
was ready to go. the loss of my grandma hurts, and I admire your
strength, I cannot imagine the loss of a child. I will continue to keep
you all in my prayers, I pray that the pain you feel over the loss of
your BEN will ease in time. sending LOVE your way. Heather Jackson &
Family
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Rita A.
Propst |
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Email
|
rpropst17@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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Comments
|
Dear Tom,
Jennifer and Eli, I haven't signed your guestbook lately but think of
you often and miss Ben, although I never met him, I feel as though he
was part of my everyday life. I pray for all of you and just wanted you
to know that others care, like myself, Ben touched my life too! God
Bless. Rita
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Date
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April 27,
2005 |
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Name
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Jamie M.
Kirby |
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Email
|
kirbyjm@mailbox.sc.edu |
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Home Page
|
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City
|
Columbia
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State
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SC
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Country
|
USA
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Comments
|
I don't
think any of us will ever fully appreciate the amount of people this
story impacts or the depth to which it impacts us. I started praying for
the Bowen family on Bens second birthday. I met them while I was a cast
member at Disneyworld. From day to day, the cast at Disneyworld love to
make people smile. It means so much to them especially to people who
have been given circumstances in which they need to smile. This story
made a lot of people at Disney really appreciate what they do for a
living. Everybody I have shared this story with has been as intensely
impacted as I am. My parents, my best friend, and my classmates in
nursing school. When I learned of Big Ben's passing, I tried to hide my
sadness. I felt silly because I had only spoken to him for 5 minutes,
but my friends noticed and asked me. You were right when you said that
you enjoy talking about him. I showed them your webpage and some even
cried. All of them cried after reading a couple of your update entries
:) They were so moved. These are women who
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Next
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