In Loving Memory

anewattitude

This posted is dedicated to Benjamin C., one of my closest's friend's nephew who passed away suddendly on Friday. He was 7. Although he didn't live a long life, the lessons he taught and the memories he left behind will last a lifetime. Benjamin was born Oct 15, 2003 with cerebal palsy. He could not walk, could not speak and could not feed himself but he could smile, and that is what he did. I personally did not know this little guy but after attending his visitation tonight I feel as though I learned something from him. I learned that regardless of what limitations or challenges a person encounters the best way to get through it is to smile. He could not run around with the other children in the playground but his smile would light up the room. I witnessed his bright smile by watching a video that captured many moments in his life and one of the only times he wasn't smiling was when he was being fed prunes. I guess he didn't like prunes! He was happy, regardless of his circumstances. He didn't appear to feel as though he was dealt a rotten hand in life. He was grateful for what he had. He had many family members who loved him and that was enough. He could recognize his parents, he could feel the warmth of their love and he could smile and for him, that was enough.
What many of us don't realize is we have all that we need and yet we don't smile as much as we should. We are caught up in our careers, our struggles to lose that extra weight, we get frustrated when things don't go our way and we are angry with ourselves when we don't push as hard as we think we should at the gym and the list goes on. Ben didn't have friends that he could run around the playground with, he didn't have a voice, he didn't have the mobility or strength to pull himself up yet he knew how to smile. Gratitude and inner joy came natural to him. If given the chance I'm sure he would have been curious about the bugs on the ground, he would chase butterflies and stomp around in puddles. He probably would have at least once in his life, expressed interest in being a fireman but he never got the chance.
It is important to have goals in life and to lead an active and healthy lifestyle but it is equally important to embrace the inner child. Take the time to smell the roses, stomp around in puddles and chase butterflies and most important, smile and be happy. Ben was robbed of alot of things in life but he rewarded so many with his bright smile and happy nature. He did not know he was lacking anything because he was truly happy on the inside. When you accept your circumstances, and are grateful for what you have in life you don't feel as though you are missing anything.
If Ben had the ability to speak he would have learned to say the words " I love you" to his parents, and the woman he could have married if he were given the chance to grow-up. Instead he said it with his smile. This is a lesson to all of us. We all need to learn from the little Ben;s out there. We need to stop stressing out over things that don't really matter and focus on what does. Tell your parents, sister, brother, partner, or whomever that you love them Speak instead of text! . If you have a voice, be grateful you can use it, If you have the mobility, run around with the enthusiasm of a child. Why? Because you CAN! Enjoy life to the fullest, because regret is the worst fate of all.

On April 8, 2011 Ben was lifted by an Angel. He is no longer suffering and he is now chasing the butterflies in Heaven.

God Bless

ItsOn130

Thanks for sharing...

cheshirequeen

this post puts everything into perspective and made me shed tears reading it. what a true inspiration at his young age. his family is in my prayers and thank you for sharing.

DarthBubbles

I'm sorry the world has lost such a resilient little soul, but I'm happy he is no longer suffering.
Definitely gives us all something to think about. Thank you.

heather0mc

very sweet tribute to a sweet kiddo