We are creating this blog so that our friends and family can share their stories, memories and pictures of Ben with us. From this blog, my sister and I will be creating a scrapbook. We hope that everyone who knew Ben will help us remember our sweet little boy.
12 comments:
I will never forget Ben's sense of style. I remember when he was about five I was down for a visit. We were going out to play and Ben wanted to wear his suit jacket to the playground. Jenny tried hard to talk him out of it, but he didn't care what everyone else was wearing. He wanted to look his best on the slide and swings. I miss seeing him all decked out so much. I miss you and love you Ben
Jenny - thank you again for your comment.
I just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am, your family has been on my mind all day since I read your post.
Also, if I may, I'd like to recommend a book called A Grief Unveiled: One Father's Journey Through the Loss of a Child. I actually bought it myself because I've heard so many good things about it. I discovered it when I was listening to a radio show about the loss of a child, and quite a few callers who had been through this said that this book was very helpful to them.
Again, you and your family are in my prayers.
Jenny, I am so, so sorry for your terrible loss. My family will be praying for all of you.
Dear Tony and Jenny,
We were so sorry to hear about your loss. What a wonderful little boy.
I hope that these postings give you some peace. We're praying for you.
Joe, Anna-Karin, Johan, and Max Skillen
Ben will always be remembered as my ocean buddy at the beach. I feel privileged to have jumped the mighty SC waves, also known as T-Rexes, with him and Raleigh. And I also enjoyed his priceless ear to ear smile after he surfed, unscathed, what seemed like 6-8 foot waves on a boogie board that knocked his other uncle into the sand.
I have to second Mary's sentiments. Ben's style was like no other. His basketball jersey tucked into his jeans makes me smile, but at the same time, miss him all the more.
None of this diminishes the pain of the loss that we all feel, but makes me happy to know that I participated in the life and happiness of such a special young man. Words will never express how much I will miss his beautiful blue eyes and his heartwarming smile. I will always love you, my nephew.
Ben was always so funny. When we first moved in next door, he'd always yell, "HI NEIGHBOR" whenever he saw us. Even a year later, he would still greet us with a "HI NEIGHBOR".
My Tristan loved playing with Ben. Swords were always the "weapons" of choice with them....I guess with "Pirates of the Caribbean" I shouldn't have been surprised. But they would chase each other all through the house laughing and carrying on.
I'll also remember when Ben came over to play in the kiddie pool with Jasmine and Tristan. Ben came over, got in the pool, walked around a few times, and went home. I asked where he was going and just thanked me and told me he was done swimming....all I could think of to say was..."OK" because I was stunned that he was only in the pool for about 10 minutes.
I sure do miss you Ben. We only knew you for a little over a year but you've given us a lifetime of memories. Thank you Neighbor:-)
I was putting the dishes away this morning and as I put away the ice cream scooper, I thought how Ben had picked it out for Tony as a Christmas present. Tony had taken Ben to pick out gifts for the family. He got me a pretty silver pie server. It bothered him that I had every kitchen gadget but a pie server. He got Anna a stack of plastic cups with characters on them including spiderman, superman, and batman. Hhhmmmmm. And then the ice cream scoop for daddy. It didn't matter to Ben that Tony saw and bought his own gift, he knew Tony wanted one. His ability to pick appropriate gifts for people always amazed me. He did not get this ability from me! He had a great heart, he was always drawing pictures for friends and wanting to give them his toys or just a drink of juice while they were playing. I miss you little buddy.
Mommy
I will never forget one summer when Ben and Jenny were on my front porch with some sort of music toy. I think it played tunes and you were suppose to repeat the tune. Something like that. Ben was so little, I wish I could remember his age at the time. Ben was remarkable, he could copy any tune that game threw at him and he was so cute doing it. I must agree that Ben was the best ocean buddy ever. Every time I walked into their house at the beach this summer, Sophie was always at the door. Then I would walk upstairs where most everyone would be eating and hanging out. Religiously that included a bunch of loud grown ups and all of the small Chuck McCort grandchildren. With that many small ones, several are usually unhappy about something or somebody. Not Ben, without fail, he was always the first to greet me, with the best HUG you ever got.
His incredible smile, beautiful blue eyes, and his unique sense of style will always be a part of our lives. Who could forget such a rocking kid. His parents created a very special little man, we will all miss him terribly. Love, Aunt Sylvia
Ben was such a sweet little boy. He always had a big smile on his face and could light up a room. I remember when all the guys first came home from a long deployment and he learned my husband's name and at that point he didn't know my name and he would call me Mrs.Ronnie. It was so cute. Ben and Josh and Jacob always had fun going on bike rides with Tony, it was the thing to do last year on the weekends. Ben will be missed and will always live in our hearts. We love and miss you Ben!! Ronnie, Tara, Jacob, Josh, Emily and Aidan
An RC, an RC and an RC... How Ben enjoyed the sodas! But the cans were just too big for him. Usually a good half can was left to go flat. Among lots of moments, we remember Ben's joy of life, his super smile and how he'd "play" guitar at Mass. Our prayer list is forever a bit longer now. Love, love, love...
How can we possibly sum up our favorite memories of Ben when there are so many of them!! All of the Birthday parties, the play dates, children's choir, the water park, the trips to the park, his ever-present sense of humor which always kept us laughing, Halloween and the list goes on and on. A couple of things that will always stand out in my mind about Ben is his love for going to Church - I've never seen a little boy have so much zeal about going to Mass and that speaks volumes about his love for Jesus. Most of all, I will always remember the pure joy that Ben brought to Cheyenne's life and how much she truly enjoyed being his friend - they always got along so well and looked so adorable sitting together in Mass like a little old couple!! Did I mention that I think Ben is one of the most handsome little boys I've ever seen - especially in his little suits!! It brings Cheyenne and all of us so much peace to know that we still has access to Ben in the Heavenly realm and that someday, we will rejoice with him in Heaven. We love you and miss you Ben. Thank you.
I was thinking today about the early days when Jenny first joined our church choir. We would always show up an hour before mass so we could practice and haggle the last minute details of who was singing what, etc. Anyway, I just have this memory of Ben asleep on the pew in front of us, his knees tucked under him and his bottom in the air. All his little suits and vests were so cute. No matter how casually anyone else might be dressed, Ben broke out the best for church. You could tell just by looking at him that church was a highlight of his week, and that stays with me as I stand on the altar watching bored kids during mass. Ben never thought mass was boring, especially after he learned to read and could sing every word of every hymn right along with us. I miss you, Ben.
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