Thanks
Many thanks to everyone who came to Bens Celebration today or dropped us a message in your absence. It was great seeing our family; a gaggle of folks I used to work with; all of our friends and neighbors; and the guys from the police force.
I’m too tired and too in awe of the day to write more tonight. Let’s just say it was a beautiful day and get some sleep.
Posted by
at
05:17:02
(I accidentally posted this as a comment in the wrong section, so I reposted here - sorry!)
Steadman Family,
I want to thank you for the wonderful celebration you held in honor of Ben today. Of course there were tears, but there was also laughter, and I don’t think a person could go on without that. The amount of yellow was amazing - I would have never thought that so many people had yellow in their wardrobes, especially the men!
You do not know me and my family has never met Ben, but my daughter is in the afternoon Kindergarten class at Carbon Valley Academy, so we have known of you for several months. I only wish that I had known of your blog from the beginning. I didn’t know about it until last Wednesday after visiting the school’s website and finding the link. It made reading the past entries even more bittersweet and I wish I had been able to read those when they were posted and be happy for the moments then.
I have sat in front of your website on and off for the past several days now…wondering what I should write, if I should write. After all, I would only echo what’s already been written here. But, alas, I knew that I needed to write. But I wanted to wait until I could thank you for the wonderful event today, including the chocolate, which my kids ate WAY too much of (OK, I did, too!)! But what a great way to honor such a blessed life!
I do want to tell you about the balloons that were released. We left the reception area and were at the stoplight at 3rd Ave. and Terry, turning east to go home to Firestone. Then I saw the balloons, which looked so awesome! The wind was blowing just enough to carry them east so we kept an eye on them. They “followed” us and were able to keep up with us because of the the red stoplights that we came to. They got smaller and smaller but we were able to still see them and when we got a little far ahead of them, I turned on the road that leads to Longview mobile home community, so they could catch up. Well, of course, by the time I got turned around so we could continue home, we could no longer see them…but I couldn’t help but think that they were perhaps guided by unseen child hands, heading “home” to watch over your family along with that precious little angel that grabbed a hold of them and led them there. Maybe some people wouldn’t make much of our little “adventure” today…but I think I know better. *smile*
After rambling on longer than I intended, I will close letting you know that you have truly touched many people, more than you could imagine, many of them strangers like us. Keep the laughter in your hearts and home and enjoy Madeline and the upcoming baby. I know you will remember Ben for always - what a perfect family he was given to for his lifetime. Our hearts go out to you, as well as our prayers, thoughts, hope and well wishes. Take care of yourselves, and each other.
Sincerely,
Kim
Thanks for holding such a beautiful event for such a great kid. It was good, beautiful and of course hard. But a great start to the healing process. The entire Steadman/Bell Clan continue to amaze us and we are greatful to have you in our family’s life. You helped me through my most darkest hours and taught me to laugh again….and I intend to return the favor. You are just stuck with us.
Much love, hugs and kisses coming your way.
Shan, Abe and Quinn
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts.
It was a beautiful event and I am so greatful for how positive and heart warming everything was. We are here for all of you anytime you need. Much love.
As a mother of two boys, I am profoundly touched and saddened by your family’s loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourselves. You were truly blessed to have had Ben in your life and I think it is more than appropriate that you held a celebration!