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Date
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March 4,
2005 |
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Name
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Keya
Donnell |
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Email
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tdonne3@AOL.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Greensboro |
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N.C.
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United
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May God
Bless you all and I just want you to remember that god never puts much
on us that we can bear.I love you all.
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I read a
poem written about and dedicated to Ben. I was touched by the words. I
am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my prayers. I can't even
begin to imagine the heart wrenching loss you are feeling. I have two
grown sons of my own. Carol
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Tom,
Jennifer, and Eli. I pray that you are getting much needed (and
deserved) rest and finding comfort and peace in the days as they pass. I
have prayed with you for Ben and now I pray for you to find much needed
grace to move through your days. Your whole family has been so richly
blessed by knowing true love from Our Father above and he will continue
to carry you, I know you know this and I Believe it with all my heart.
God Bless you all and continued prayers for you and everyone who passes
this website. May we all KNOW GOD as you truly do . Love, Wendy
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Date
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March 4,
2005 |
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Name
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Kathy
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Tom,
Jennifer and Eli, I have followed your story for a couple of months now.
I've not posted before, but you all have never been far from my thoughts
and prayers. Through you and your precious Ben, I have learned so much
about being a person of faith and truly believing in the Lord's plan.
Your courage and faith has touched my heart in a way I never thought
possible. Thank you for sharing Ben and your story with me. Give Eli
another hug, and know that your experience (though at times hasn't felt
like it) - is truly a GIFT from God. I am filled with joy knowing that
Ben is laughing, playing and free of pain - waiting to see his parents
and brother again. With much gratitude, I am FINALLY Believing, Kathy
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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BeckyWhittington |
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A week
this evening Ben was freed from Cancer. Free to play, pain free, free of
Cancer. I saw on the news where he was announced as a hometown hero. A
hero he is. Even while playing in heaven he will change lives through is
story. Praying for you all.
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Paula
(Booth) Paden |
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Email
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bopajes@msn.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Wayne
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WV
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I'VE
NEVER WALKED IN YOUR SHOES AND CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE. IN THE LAST YEAR
YOU HAVE SHARED YOUR FAITH, YOUR COURAGE, YOUR FRUSTRATIONS, AND YOUR
TEARS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD KEEP THAT PRIVATE... BUT YOU ALLOWED US TO
SHARE EVERYTHING. I'M SURE THAT YOU HAVE SO MANY MIXED EMOTIONS RIGHT
NOW.. YOU'VE LOST YOUR LITTLE BOY WHO YOU LOVED SO MUCH, BUT AT THE SAME
TIME YOU KNOW HE IS WITH GOD AND IS HEALTHY. WHEN I THINK OF YOU ALL
SHEDDING YOUR TEARS, I THINK OF THE MOVIE "THE PASSION OF CHRIST" WHERE
AT THE MOMENT OF CHRIST'S DEATH, THE BIG TEAR CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND
HIT THE GROUND. EVEN GOD MUST HAVE SHED TEARS WHEN HIS SON DIED, EVEN
KNOWING IT WAS PART OF THIS GREAT PLAN. I'M SURE THIS IS SOMETHING
YOU'LL NEVER "GET OVER".. BUT IT WILL GET EASIER. IN BAD TIMES, JUST
KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED BY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
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Dear Tom,
Jennifer, and Eli -- I couldn't sleep this morning and woke up thinking
about all of you. Hoping that you were alright. Then, I read Tom's
latest update and realized that I had no reasons to worry --- you are in
GOD's hands. We have thought about you so often this week and cannot
even begin to imagine the pain and loss you were all feeling. Tom, we
were sorry to read about the death of your Grandmother. However, I knew
that it was another great work of GOD that she had left this earth to
take care of BEN --- or maybe visa versa. I guess my little one (who is
5) summed up this week best. One of my best friend Teri had a baby boy
on Thursday. As we were saying out nightly prayers, Tommy prayed for
Ben. When I told him Ben was "all better now", Tommy questioned me. He
asked if Ben had died. I said yes and his reply was ....well he is
better because he is with Baby JESUS and that is why the Angels brought
us Baby Aidan. Out of the mouth of babes! If only we could be so
insightful at 40. Please take
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CONT'D
Please take care of yourselves. Your friends, THE SYKORA's, JIM, DAWN,
JIMMIE and TOMMY (Kerin Hentz's cousins)
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Destiny
Ward |
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Email
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cheerchic45680@yahoo.com |
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Home Page
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City
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South
Point |
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State
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Ohio
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united
states |
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Hi i am
very sorry to hear about your sons death. I have been keeping up with
your website for about 4 months. I am 12 years old and I am in the 7th
grade. Ben has really changed my life. I cant wait to meet him in heaven
with Jesus by his side. And if Eli could use a new friend I have a
little brother who is 2 who could use someone to play with.
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Way to go
Big Ben! You made hometown hero and that you are sweet boy :O)
Love you
guys
You
remain forever in my prayers
Trina
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Tom and
Jennifer, This morning as I watched St. Judes special with a 4 year ols
and a 1 year old, there were many questions. The 4 year old picked up on
the fact that you can sponsor a child for $19 a month. Her question was
if we could send Ben $19 for help. After a quick short prayer and a long
talk wiht her, she understands better but says we could still send it
for Ben to help someone else. So maybe this is true. IF you already send
in the monthly support then we should all call and see if it can be
added to Ben's memorial account. So many times Jesus used little
children and Thank God he is still useing Ben.
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Denise
Cardona-Ammerman |
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Email
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kelanddee@verizon.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Hesperia
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State
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California |
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I have
been referred to your page by Sherry Hardeman, mother of Justin
Hardeman. Justin (www.justinhardeman.com) is fighting cancer/ATRT.
Personally, I have no "inspiring" story or tragedy, but I am writing as
a mother of a little boy born one month and one day prior to your
precious Ben. My husband & I were unable to have children naturally so
we turned to adoption. We brought Joey home when he was 9 months old &
what a treat! He is the most blessed & outgoing child. I guess what I am
trying to convey is that Ben's life story will forever ring in my heart
& mind as my son spills cereal all over a freshly mopped kitchen floor
or tracks playdough throughout the carpet in my home. I will think of
boys like Ben & Justin whose lives have been taken or altered & remember
to praise God for every mess & every moment I have with my son. I will
remember your Ben forever. May God continue to have mercy on your family
and friends.
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Date
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March 5,
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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It never
fails........what you say seems so simple but you move me beyond words.
I know you get your strength from God and I find that...I am not sure
how to desribe it. It just seems so utterly amazing. It honestly does.
You are a beautiful family with beautiful hearts. I know God is watching
out for you...
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Don't
know if this has been mentioned. Realize that Ben is no longer a "baby"
or a "toddler." Instead, in God's presence, he is a fully matured
individual with all knowledge, as he has been endowed by the Lord, who
has saved him.
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I am so
proud to be from the same town as the Hometown Hero!! What an honor. I
know you are all proud. I got my Big Ben Band yesterday. I was so
excited to put it on. Our school carnival is today. I am going to wear
it proudly and show all of my students and the students at Rainbow
Elementary that so proudly gave money in Ben's honor to St. Jude. I will
use the band to carry on Ben's memory. I'll proudly tell Ben's story and
the Bowens' story and pass along the Web site every time I'm asked about
my band of blue. Thanks again for sharing your lives with us and
honoring God through your trials. In Christ, Angela Bennett
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Meaghan
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We are
touched by Ben's story.It has changed our lives forever.
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Emily
Prater |
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Email
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eprater75@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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I left to
go on vacation last Saturday morning. Before I left for the airport, I
checked the web site one last time. I rode to the airport with tears in
my eyes, but peace in my heart after reading that our champion was with
God. No more pain, no more suffering. Just endless reward and I know the
VERY first words Sweet Ben heard were, "well done, good and faithful
servant." I cannot begin to imagine how you must struggle each day,
feeling both peace and faith in the greater purpose, but overwhelming
human sadness at not having your baby here on earth with you. I'm still
praying and still believing!! Changed Forever, Emily Prater
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Rhonda
Thomas |
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Email
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City
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MS
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Thinking
of you and Believing still....
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Sandy
Adkins |
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Email
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retrn2003@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Vero
Beach |
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State
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Fl
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USA
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Comments
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Tom,Jennifer,& Eli, I've moved into my parents home, so I've been
off-line for about 3weeks. I don't know what to say-I'm so sorry for
your loss, but I know that Ben is in a much better place-one without
pain or suffering. And he's with Jesus now. So, as much as you all miss
him, I'm sure that that knowledge helps. And Ben touched so many lives.
Even though he was here only 2 short years I know he received a "well
done good and faithful servant".
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Haley
Hastings |
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Email
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haley@uga.edu |
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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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GA
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Comments
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Jennifer,
Tom, and sweet Eli, I've never signed your guestbook, but I've come to
Ben's page every day for the past few months. I discovered his site on
Angel Aaron's page. As I read his story of strength and courage, and
from the moment I saw his smiling face, I knew I was in love. My
apologies for never signing before, and especially not last week, but I
was at a loss for words. It wasn't until today, when I recieved my Big
Ben band in the mail, that I was finally able to compose these thoughts.
The feelings I felt when I put on my bracelet are hard to describe. I am
so proud to be able to honor your son by wearing name on my wrist. I
will never forget Ben; his legacy will forever live on in my heart and
the hearts of so many others. Thank you for sharing Ben's story; he has
forever changed my life. Fly free, Big Ben, fly free. Love always, Haley
Hastings
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Russetta
Wright |
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Email
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russetta7@msn.com
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Home Page
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City
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Davin
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State
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WV
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USA
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Comments
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Ben's
story really touched me. I pray for your family and I hope I make it to
heaven, so I can meet Ben, a strong and wonderful little boy.
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Gregory
Rowsey |
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Email
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garowsey@hotmail.com
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Home Page
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City
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Milton
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WV
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Comments
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Just
wanted to comment on what a wonderful celebration of Ben's life took
place on Tuesday. I would not have missed it for the world. I was
honored to be able to bring a fire engine for Ben as well as for Eli. As
we talked on the phone the other day, I felt an overwhelming urge to
applaud when Eli came into the sanctuary Tuesday. Chief Page, from the
Valley Fire Dept. felt the same way. I have no profound words of advice
or wisdom to offer, for I have not walked the same path that you have
traveled. I can only sign off the same as I have since the beginning of
this web site. KEEP THE FAITH
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Gregory
Rowsey |
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Email
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Just an
afterthought. Ben was born on the same date as my dad ( November 14th )
Also, Ben went home to HEAVEN one year and one day after Rebecca's dad
passed. I like to think that Mr. Woodard may have shouted (like he used
to do in church) upon Ben's arrival and maybe helped to show him around.
KEEP THE FAITH
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Aimee
Brashears |
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Email
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Hello to
you all. Couldn't have been happier to get my Big Ben bands in the mail
today. They will be worn, with pride and honor. We look forward to
sharing all that Christ is and has done by sharing Ben's life as we wear
those bands. The legacy indeed goes on. Love, prayers, comfort, and
blessings to you all. Big hugs to you Eli. We say special prayers for
you every day. God loves you all the time! With hope and belief!
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Date
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March 5,
2005 |
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Name
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Cris
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Email
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CReneeGo@aol.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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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Bowens,
you have been on my mind quite a bit lately. Today my family was at the
state wrestling tournament in Parkersburg and some people sitting near
me noticed my BIG BEN band. Before I could say anything, my 10 year old
son said "that is for Ben Bowen, he is an angel now. His story has made
me want to help children at St Judes when I grow up." My eyes filled
with tears, this was the first time I heard him say anything like that.
I had no idea how much me sharing Ben's story would impact my son. I
don't think I could ever thank your family enough for changing my family
for the better. Constantly thinking of you and praying for you. Hugs and
Kisses to Eli and keep smiling down on us from above sweet Ben.
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