tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post1862797109557186633..comments2023-08-26T20:43:58.053-05:00Comments on GraphicGumbo3: "A Thirty-Fourth Birthday Celebration…If Only!"Ben Bensen IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-40037816146912188822013-11-22T15:26:21.422-06:002013-11-22T15:26:21.422-06:00I replied in great length and somehow lost it all ...I replied in great length and somehow lost it all in cyber-skadoodle, so I guess I'll just say thank you all for being there with us to send Brian away. Your presence, Mike, Kayla, Nikki, and Lauren gave us a strength you'll never know. <br /><br />Somehow, an old friend from SoCal called late the night before Brian's birthday. Therese, suspicious as always, decided to cut the kid short and give him my number. When it finally dawned on her who the man was she called him back and spent a while talking about Brian. No new insights, but Chris's obvious love of our son and all the good times, had her sobbing and eventually had to leave the conversation. <br /><br />On his birthday, yesterday, a good friend called to express his condolences and reminisce with me for over forty minutes. I only wish Brian knew the effect he had on everyone. At times, I guess in the grip of his condition, he really thought that no one understood and pretty much had abandoned him. To a certain degree, he was right. No one could possibly understand the voices in his head.<br /><br />Well, there really isn't much we all can say to make any sense in all of this except to express, as many have, how much Brian will be missed.<br /><br />Thanks again...<br /><br />I don't think Tee even knows of this birthday tribute, and I'll let her find out about it, in her own time.<br />Ben Bensen IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-56445410908946161172013-11-22T15:00:51.794-06:002013-11-22T15:00:51.794-06:00Yes Carol, he was a fun buddy to share life with. ...Yes Carol, he was a fun buddy to share life with. Ben Bensen IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-43972157889555965952013-11-22T14:58:42.139-06:002013-11-22T14:58:42.139-06:00We received more phone calls about Brian as time p...We received more phone calls about Brian as time passes. Most are from his buddies in SoCal. Like you, they all miss him too!Ben Bensen IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-2396361477054418752013-11-22T08:37:02.910-06:002013-11-22T08:37:02.910-06:00Looks like he enjoyed time with his dad! Thinking...Looks like he enjoyed time with his dad! Thinking of you and Therese. Carol HallockAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-39660816134113453622013-11-21T23:04:05.641-06:002013-11-21T23:04:05.641-06:00Ben and Therese - thinking of you on this day. We ...Ben and Therese - thinking of you on this day. We can't begin to imagine what the past months have been like for you. I know you keep Brian alive in your home by talking, laughing and crying over the amazing 34 years he spent with you. I can still see that little shrug he'd give you Therese when you would remind him of his manners and I can absolutely see his smiling face beaming at you in awe as you told stories of your boyhood, Ben. Happy Birthday, Brian - Our love, Cheryl and MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-15272251322442438392013-11-21T22:54:41.598-06:002013-11-21T22:54:41.598-06:00He may have hated to get gussied up, but Therese w...He may have hated to get gussied up, but Therese was right. Her two guys sure looked adorable. Missing him today. MDNewbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09498183956113830710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-37911219523030085112013-11-21T20:39:24.443-06:002013-11-21T20:39:24.443-06:00Well, thank you Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous. That's ...Well, thank you Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous. That's awful sweet of you to say so! I do enjoy writing… it's a nice change from the visual world.Ben Bensen IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-75092438633782160382013-11-21T13:12:06.818-06:002013-11-21T13:12:06.818-06:00Ben, you write entirely too well for an artist.
Ben, you write entirely too well for an artist.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-53471035743757834402013-11-21T12:58:47.052-06:002013-11-21T12:58:47.052-06:00Thanks Deborah! He was pretty proud of his batter ...Thanks Deborah! He was pretty proud of his batter imitations, then. Ben Bensen IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063667151570644210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291523820429921598.post-19602076535457182572013-11-21T11:32:09.432-06:002013-11-21T11:32:09.432-06:00No words will heal your and Tee's heart. This...No words will heal your and Tee's heart. This is a silent wound inside the two of you. Right now your faintest piece of happiness is knowing that God has his loving arms around Brian....and if God says to Brian, "Go get all dressed up, we're going out to a nice restaurant....and NO Will Clark swings!", Brian still won't listen! Happy Heavenly birthday, my dear Brian.....Deborah Kuhn Lohannoreply@blogger.com