Purple People Eater

As most people who know me, know very well that Halloween is my favorite time of the year. But I can honestly say that last Halloween was the best one I have ever experienced. To start Ben had his own pumpkin and rather than letting him carve it we allowed him to draw on it. Little did we know that this pumpkin was not his target. After about 10 minutes of carving our pumpkins Erin and I looked up only to see that Ben had completely colored himself purple. Erin and I just broke into a fit of laughter. Thank goodness for washable crayola markers.

I Hope You Dance

Benjamin loved to dance. Whenever music started he would be out in the middle of the floor dancing with the best of them. With two boys who are dance fanatics you can only imagine it was more than once a week that our living room was turned into a dance floor.

Don't let us fool you though, this kid had rhythm and some great moves. His favorite move at all though was to "shake his booty" which meant putting his hands flat on the ground, sticking his butt in the air and bouncing it up and down. Richard and I would laugh every time.

He was also quite the jealous little boy. If Richard and I tried to dance with eachother he would insist on cutting in. We would happily scoop him up and do a three-person slow dance or at othertimes I would get the boot and the two boys would dance.

I Remember.......

You know Erin and I decided this last sunday that we needed to post weekly our thoughts and memories of Ben and that in time it would become a tradition in our family.

So what i remember is that when Ben was only 3-5 months old he would always fall asleep in the weirdest of places and in the most uncomfortable positions. I loved this the most because it was a time when i could just watch and enjoy his presence. Even when he was alive he grew out of doing that and i really missed that but now i really miss it everyday when i get to hold Eraleigh.

A Mother's Love

I thought of you and closed my eyes

And prayed to God today.

I asked what makes a Mother

And I know I heard him say.

A Mother has a baby

This we know is true.

But God can you be a Mother

When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can He replied

With confidence in His voice.

I give many women babies

When they leave is not their choice.

Some I send for a lifetime

And others for a day.

Benjamin was just so perfect

There was no need to stay.

I just don't understand this, God

I want my baby here.

He meant the world to all of us

And I really need him near.

I wish I could show you

What your child is doing today.

If you could see his beautiful smile

And with other children say

"We go to earth to learn our lessons

Of love and life and fear.

My Mommy loved me oh so much

I got to come back here.

I feel so lucky to have a Mom

Who has so much love for me.

I learned my lesson very quickly

My Mommy set me free.

I miss my Mommy oh so much

But I visit her each day.

When she goes to sleep

On her pillow is where I lay.

I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek

And whisper in her ear.

Mommy don't be sad today

I'm your baby and I'm here.

"So you see my dear sweet one

Your baby is okay.

Your little Benjamin is here in My home

And this is where he'll stay.

He'll wait for you in heaven

Until your lesson is through.

And on the day that you come home

He'll be here waiting for you.

Oh the joy you two will have

As you embrace and hug so tight.

You'll never be apart again

And all will be alright.

So now you see what makes a Mother

It's the feeling in your heart.

It's the love you've had so much of

Right from the very start.

-Anonymous

A Special Tribute

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not here, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken,
in the morning's hush,
I am the soft uplifting rush of
quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I did not die.