March 30, 2006

A Celebration

Please join us in celebrating Ben’s life on Tuesday, April 4th at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 803 3rd Ave., Longmont, CO. Viewing starts at 12:30; services start at 2:00 followed by a chocolate filled celebration (don’t miss this part!).

A few requests…

We’re asking everyone to wear something yellow to the celebration as it was Ben’s favorite color. No need to purchase a yellow suit ("it's the new beige") – just add a ribbon or tasteful hat.

I’ve got two moms and a dad with past careers in the flower business. Please make a contribution to one of the following in lieu of flowers:

Children’s Hospital – none of our adventures or memories over the last seven months would have been possible if not for the dedication of the doctors, nurses and volunteers at The Children’s Hospital of Denver.

Ben’s Secret Garden – Ben loved the Memorial Garden at Anshutz Cancer Center where he had his radiation treatment. We’re placing a plaque in the garden for him as well as planting our own “secret garden” here at home. Donations can be mailed to The Steadman’s at 5893 Sparrow Ave., Firestone, CO 80504.

We look forward to a full house on Tuesday and send our thanks to everyone for their love and support.

Posted by Dean Steadman at 17:36:01 | Permanent Link | Comments (40) |
Comments
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1 - What a beautiful way to celebrate, You both are truly amazing in your courage & strength ! May God Bless your family always........ (Comment this)

Written by: Barb at 2006/03/30 - 19:06:43
2 - So sorry that I am going to be 1000 miles away that day. But my heart is right here with you.

 (Comment this)

Written by: jeff at 2006/03/30 - 20:39:02
3 - Love you guys!!! I wouldn't miss this time to celebrate Ben's life. (Comment this)

Written by: Shan, Abe, and Quinn at 2006/03/30 - 21:35:26
4 - Celebrating Ben....the best way is to remember all the fun times we have had. Abe and I were talking about happy memories of Ben and the one that stands out the most in our minds is a very cute story. Ben was about 4 - 4 1/2, and Madie and Daphne were upstairs in Madies room playing dress up. Well Ben being the great kid he is wanted to play too. So they all dressed up and came out of the room for a quick impromtu fashion show. The girls were both wearing tutu's and princess clothes. Then out of the room comes Ben, wearing the biggest Tutu, had the prettiest crown, and the biggest wand. HE looked down the small flight of Stairs and said "aren't I the prettiest" The entire group of adults in the room just smiled back, tried not to laugh to hard, him and said..."Yes, Ben...you are the prettiest person in the room."
Everytime I have thought of that moment it has always brought a giggle to my heart, more so now than ever. It also taught me to love, because no matter the kids in the house, Ben would play whatever game the mast majority was into, becuase he loved to play. Whether it was car races, hiding from monsters the stairs (a.k.a. uncle Pete) or playing dress up.
My hats off to you little buddy, you will be sorrowly missed, but fondly remembered.

Love to you
Shan, Abe and Quinn (Comment this)

Written by: Shan, Abe, and Quinn at 2006/03/30 - 23:26:29
5 - Your family is in our hearts and prayers today. We have such fond memories of you all. I am so sorry that we are far away but will be thinking of you all next week as you say a fond farewell to Ben. I will be wearing yellow for him too.

Much Love to all the family. (Comment this)

Written by: Vicki and Howard at 2006/03/31 - 00:09:44
6 - Thank you for sharing some of your private moments, and something that you will all charish as life goes on. It makes us appreciate the gifts that lifes gives, and sometimes takes away too soon.

I have not met your family and or Ben. But looking at the photos, and hearing the story, I know that he must of lit up a room. And having spent some time down at Ronald McDonald house, supporting the wonderful things that Childrens Hospital does on a daily basis. I can see that Ben was yet another wonderful child that has a inner strength that comes from somewhere that we can only guess, that the Angels at Childrens have touched.

My love and support comes from my heart to your family. And I hope that you are showered with more of this, since it may seem to be a little, but it is an incredible healing power. And that your family and friends, and yes, even our little community of tri town will send their love your way.

Chris (Comment this)

Written by: Chris (a tri town neighbor) at 2006/03/31 - 09:47:54
7 - Dean and Melinda, I don't know if you feel this way about yourselves right now, but your family is truly amazing!! I am so impressed with the care and concern you have for others, the way you all have communicated through this has allowed something terrible to change people's lives for the better. It reminds us all to love more than we thought we could or should today. We are so sorry that we can't make it to your celebration. We can only imagine how beautiful it will be. (Comment this)

Written by: Megan Auer at 2006/03/31 - 19:03:05
8 - Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I love your site and your wonderful story of love. (Comment this)

Written by: Heather at 2006/03/31 - 20:45:58
9 - I truly am sorry for your lost. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God comfort you and bless you with His love and guidance.

When my husband was sick and in the hospital for over 3 months, I asked God to make his suffering and pain go away and he did 2 days later. He was commenced to the Father and is suffering no more. I miss him, but I know that he is in a better place.

Take care and much Aloha to all of you. (Comment this)

Written by: Ma at 2006/03/31 - 20:48:25
10 - I am finding it hard not ot drown in the feeling that all of this is not fair, not right, definitely never should have happened to anyone as wonderful as all of you are. I am still really lost and confused about all of it. But I do have to grant one thing to this whole experience. Every person I know that knew Ben and even every person I can think of who only knows of Ben, everyone will count each day as a special blessing because we are lucky to have it. Not one of us will likely waste as much energy and time on the trivial and irrelevant annoyances. We will cherish our loved ones, revel in each beautiful sunny day, and find joy in every moment we can…because Ben showed us all how and why they are so precious. He will be in the forefront of all our minds for a very long time, and always in our memories forever. He is like our own special spiritual leader and his message is all about love, innocence, kindness, joy, and peace. When I really think about it, I wish he would have lived 100 years, but I can not imagine how a single human being could have affect my life more than Ben in his 6 short years on this earth. I am lost in the grief and pain I feel for all of you and all of us who are left behind Ben, but I am so grateful to have had the honor of learning from him while he was here. Somehow, it just makes it a little easier to breath to get that all out. (Comment this)

Written by: Amber, Jim and Jack at 2006/03/31 - 21:26:45
11 - I am so sorry for your loss. I came by your blog via Genunie's blog. I actually live near the Longmont area in Greeley. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray that you will have all the support of friends and family at this time and always. I don't know you at all but via this blog, but know that there are many ppl like me sending love and prayers your way. (Comment this)

Written by: Shalini at 2006/03/31 - 22:31:49
12 - God Bless you and your family. Benjamin's angelic spirit will follow you until you are together again. (Comment this)

Written by: Cyndy at 2006/04/01 - 10:11:14
13 - You are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this unimaginably difficult experience. It is so clear from your entries that Ben was a lucky boy to have been born to parents like you. I wish I had the words to bring comfort. Please know that your sharing your journey has inspired - and will continue to inspire - all who visit here. (Comment this)

Written by: Carmi at 2006/04/01 - 11:11:33
14 - I can even begin to comprehend the scope of the loss you must all feel. A child is precious gift from God that we wish to hold forever. I am reminded by my SIL's words "our children are not ours, they are God's and he can reclaim them whenever he deems fit." Nothing could suite this situation better right now. I will pray for your family and that you may heal in due time, cherish his memory, love him always and know that he now safe and pain free. (Comment this)

Written by: Kristina at 2006/04/01 - 12:04:36
15 - my condolences and prayers are with your family. your celebraton of the life he lived surely gives him much joy. i hope you are comforted by the belief that he was taken away so that he would no longer suffer and instead play happily among god's angels in his garden in heaven. (Comment this)

Written by: ribbiticus at 2006/04/01 - 12:21:07
16 - Ben will surely come to lead you to the Pearly Gates, skipping and smiling all the way, when your turn comes to join him.
I cannot even begin to imagine how you feel in this moment~but I will pray for you and your family, and wish that I could be there to offer some comfort.
It seems like much love is coming your way. :) God bless and comfort you in this time of need.

 (Comment this)

Written by: aka_monty at 2006/04/01 - 14:51:01
17 - Hi,

Found my way here along a chain of caring and concerned people; add me to their number. I hope and pray the joy and strength in store for you in times ahead - this life and beyond - will exceed any present sadness as the depths of all the oceans of the world outweigh a single drop of rain.

Grace and peace to you. (Comment this)

Written by: Radioactive Jam at 2006/04/01 - 15:31:32
18 - It sounds like a wonderful celebration! My thouhgts and prayers are with you and you family during this difficult time. (Comment this)

Written by: Busy Mom at 2006/04/01 - 17:50:12
19 - May God give you and your family strength to get through this new phase of your lives. Thank you for sharing your loss. Whether you intended it or not, you are helping others who are going through the same experience. (Comment this)

Written by: Redneckmommy at 2006/04/01 - 17:50:59
20 - May God's love give you strength.


To All Parents
by Edgar Guest

“I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine,” He said,
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead.
“It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
“But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
“He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
“You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

“I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
“But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
“I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true
“And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you.
“Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
“Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?”

I fancied that I heard them say: “Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
“For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
“We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may,
“And for the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay;
“But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we’ve planned,
“We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.” (Comment this)

Written by: Kathy at 2006/04/01 - 20:05:50
21 - Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. That sounds so breezy and cliched, but I mean it truly. Your son and your family's story has touched my heart. I will keep you all in my prayers. (Comment this)

Written by: Lauryn at 2006/04/01 - 21:03:22
22 - May God be with you and your family. Words cannot express my feelings. I send my thoughts and prayers from our family in New York City. (Comment this)

Written by: Annie Hall at 2006/04/01 - 23:35:45
23 - I am so sorry for your loss. Two weeks ago my friend lost her beautiful 30 year daughter. Our children should not go before us. (Comment this)

Written by: Onyx at 2006/04/02 - 03:06:19
24 - I am so sorry for your lost. I can imagine no greater pain than the loss of a child. I wish i could do more than say that i'm sorry and my heart goes out to you...

I hope, with all my heart, that you can find peace and happiness, and fiil the void with good memories...

You will be in my thoughts as you celebrate Ben's Life... (Comment this)

Written by: doc-t at 2006/04/02 - 05:26:14
25 - I'm so sorry about Ben. You have lots of courage. Celebrating Ben's life is good. Yall will be in my prayers and my Mom's too. (Comment this)

Written by: Boni Maroni at 2006/04/02 - 07:10:21
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