Thank you for all your kind words, cards, and food! We are doing really well, it helps being busy.
Ben's Celebration of Life / Funeral Mass Arrangements:
Monday March 1, 2010
St Andrew the Apostle Church
3101 Eton St
New Orleans, La 70131
Visitation begins at 10am
Funeral Mass begins at Noon
Refreshments to Follow
In leiu of flowers we are asking people make donations in Ben's name to support Childhood Cancer Awareness and Research. The two organizations we support and recommend are
The Cure Starts Now Foundation
www.thecurestartsnow.org
and
I Could Be Your Child
www.icouldbeyourchild.org
Monday March 1, 2010
St Andrew the Apostle Church
3101 Eton St
New Orleans, La 70131
Visitation begins at 10am
Funeral Mass begins at Noon
Refreshments to Follow
In leiu of flowers we are asking people make donations in Ben's name to support Childhood Cancer Awareness and Research. The two organizations we support and recommend are
The Cure Starts Now Foundation
www.thecurestartsnow.org
and
I Could Be Your Child
www.icouldbeyourchild.org
We ask that friends and family coming in from out of town let us know you are coming, we would like to make arrangements to meet up with you. Also Big Ben's hotel, New Orleans Renaissance Arts has made arrangements for us to have hotel rooms for friends and family so please let us know so we can make you a reservation. The best way to contact us right now is email or text: erinandben@cox.net or 259-9351.
Ben's obituary will be in the Sunday edition of the Times-Picayune.
Ben's obituary will be in the Sunday edition of the Times-Picayune.
20 comments:
Praying that the Lord surrounds you in Love.
While I am unable to make the service, you will certainly remain in my thoughts and prayers. Missing the sweet Lil' Ben stories, already...
We will be with you in our thoughts and prayers on Monday Erin!
Love,
Jennie Stine Wicker
Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers. We will never forget our Junior Captain Ben and his wonderful family.
The New Orleans Saints
sending love and prayers. M y heart is in New Orleans
with love,
dari
We will offer our Mass here on Sunday for the
intentions of the family. Tell Grandpa Pat, I have been at 6:30am all week and will be next week praying for all of you!
So much love and grace has been poured on you! The postings have been so inspiring.
Love to you all. Jim & Louisa
My thoughts and love are with you Erin, Ben and your families. Rest in peace precious little Ben.
Our prayers are with your family to give you strength to get thru this. Lil Ben has been in our prayers and even since I didn't know him he seemed to be an amazing, smart little boy. Now he is an angel flying high free of pain. love to all of you
Ms. Amanda's mom & dad, Jay & Rhonda Stinnett
The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?” God paused for a moment and replied, “Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” he asked. God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.” The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this – it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer – to unlock this love – to create this miracle for the good of all humanity.”
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. “I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!” God smiled and said, “You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you”. God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.
In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.” Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God’s strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people’s hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith – many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.
Sending Lots of HUGS and PRAYERS,
Stacey
www.help-zachary.com
Stacey -
Thank you for sharing the story of the Brave Little Soul.
I am stunned at the beauty and the truthfulness in it. That you took the time to spread that message is amazing and I am CERTAIN that many will be just as moved and comforted as I was.
Beautiful job!
May God bless you and your family.
Melanie Holloway
Stacy the story was amazing thank you soo much. Its true things like this tend to bring people together.
Erin,Ben and shaun may god be with in this time of pain. My heart goes out to you. Ben was and amazing little boy. Thanks for sharing your story with the world. It made me stop and think take each day as it comes cause you never know what tomorrow will bring. God Bless. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Erin--
We are praying for your family every day and we will be at the funeral on Monday.
Please let us know if any of your family or friends need a place to stay as I know traveling can be expensive. We live in English Turn and have two extra rooms for them to stay comfortably.
Love, Marilyn. Cell: 917 328 2912
From a mother who knows ...
"Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." Garth Brooks
I am Facebook friend of Rachel Graham so I receive information via news feed.
While it is still hard for me to go through all of the stories, the picture of Ben reminded of my son Troy who died of a DPG in Nov '04
He was 4 1/2.
Even though we have never met, our paths are woven together by two little boys who showed their little pieces of the world what courage is really about.
Wrapping my arms around you and your family ...
Nadine Paulmeno
Birmingham, Alabama
AngelTroy23@yahoo.com
I never met Ben but I can tell by all the videos and pictures he was quite a character and he was loved by so many. Ben was so blessed to do so many things in his lifetime that all children would love to do, especially having so many friends on a professional football team like the Saints. He was truly blessed to have such a wonderful life with the Best Mother and Father, Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle. I know you are all so close and that is beautiful and rare. I take comfort knowing he is with our Lord and Savior in the God’s Kingdom. I hope you find comfort in this message. Nothing I can say will ease your pain but just know I am thinking of you and love you and your family very much. God Bless you and yours Cousin Erin.....Great Big Hugs Cousin Julie
Nicole and I talked about coming to Ben's Celebration of Life & decided (selfishly) to come later. We are hoping a weekend later in April will work for you. I will pray continuously for all of you. Joshua 1:9 says: "...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Sending my love,
Michelle Stirek
Erin my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family we will see you later I Know today is going to be tough but just remember you are surround by a lot of love and prayers
God Bless Pirate Ben!
Holding you close in thought and prayer today as you celebrate your Precious Ben's life.
Grace and Peace to You.
Lifting Pirate Ben's family up in prayer on this difficult day and those yet to come. Fly high, angel.
With love,
Jackie Cooper-Galey
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